The Snappers 



cc. Prefrontals with the anterior facets developed from simple tuber- 

 cles and not V-shaped. 

 /. Hyoid bone and tongue with teeth; dorsal spines 12 or 13. 



Rhomboplites, 417 



ff. Hyoid bone and tongue toothless; dorsal spines 10 . .Apsilus, 418 

 bb. Iriterorbital area flat, separated by a transverse line of demarcation 

 from the occipital region. 



g. Head naked above and on snout Etelis, 419 



gg. Head scaly above and on jaws and snout Verilus, 419 



The genus Hoplopagrus is close to Lutianus, from which it differs 

 chiefly in having the anterior nostril remote from the other. 



The single species is the pargo raisero, H. gnntberi. This 



interesting species is found only on the Pacific coast of tropical 

 America, and is known from Guaymas to Panama. It is a common 

 food-fish at Guaymas and Mazatlan. It reaches a foot in length. 



Colour, upper parts dark brown, with 6 double bands of brown 

 running obliquely downward and backward, the fourth and fifth pairs 

 appearing as one; breast and belly maroon purple, becoming less dis- 

 tinct on opercles and sides; a large jet-black spot on base of caudal 

 peduncle and extending upon soft dorsal; fins dusky-olive, shaded 

 with pinkish and brown; ventrals black-tipped. 



404 



