Jordan and Evermann. Fishes of North America. 1231 



II. PKOMICROPTERUS (Tpo, before: /ouKpos, small; nrfpov, fin) : 



/. Body comparatively deep, the depth more than length of head and more thun ' .. the length 

 in the adult (less in the young); buck eotisidorably elevated; preoperclc with 2 devel- 

 oped spines only, the uppermost usually obsolete; upper (median) spine on preopcn ]> 

 often divided, the lowermost larger, directed partly downward; a depression before 

 eye, the sharp snout abruptly projecting; opercular spines small; first dorsal spine a 

 little longer than second, which is nearly or quite free from the soft rays. Color dusky 

 olive brown, somewhat clouded; sides with a few smal lirregular whitish spots; young 

 with brownish spots. BISTRISPINUS, 1621. 



ff. Body more slender, the depth about equal to length of head and less thun % the length 

 even in the adult; back little elevated; depression before eye slight, the profile not 

 very uneven, slightly convex above eye; preopercle with 3 distinct spines, the upper 

 one small, the middle one largest, rarely divided; opercular spines 3, rather strong, 

 the middle one largest; first dorsal spine slightly longer than second, which is nearly 

 or quite free from the eoft rays. Color brownish, irregularly mottled with whitish 

 spots as large as the pupil, some of them with a darker center, these spots extending 

 on all the vertical fins, sometimes wanting in the young; vertical fins and pectorals 

 edged with dusky. NIGBIPINNIS, 1622. 



1616. RYPTICUS XANTI, Gill. 



Head 3i; depth 3i; eye 5i in head. D. Ill, 24; A. 16. Preopercle with 

 3 spines, the uppermost blunt and sometimes obsolete, the lower the 

 largest; opercle with 3 strong spines, the middle one largest; body rather 

 deep, the depth about equal to length of head and 3 in length to base of 

 caudal; back moderately elevated ; snout short, not very acute, the lower 

 jaw much projecting ; anterior profile steep and almost straight ; maxil- 

 lary reaching beyond pupil, 2 in head; first dorsal spine longest; dorsals 

 slightly connected ; ventral fins moderate, nearly twice as long as eye ; 

 pectorals rounded : gill rakers short and thick. Color very dark olive 

 brown, the fins all blackish ; sides with vague blotches of light brown. 

 Pacific Coast of Mexico ; rather rare ; known from Cape San Lucas, Coli- 

 nia and Mazatlan. This species differs from E, saponaceus of the Atlantic 

 chiefly in the armature of the head. We have examined the original type 

 and also specimens from Colima and Mazatlan. Our description is drawn 

 from No. 7740, U. S. Nat. Mus., collected by Mr. John Xantus at Colima. 

 (Named for John Xantus de Vasey, the discoverer of the species, once tidal 

 observer at Cape San Lucas, now Director of the Museum at Budapest.) 



Rh>/plicm xanti, GILL, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 250, Cape San Lucas, (Coll. Xantus); 

 JORDAN & EIGENMANN, /. c., 339, 1890. 



1617. RTPTICUS BICOLOB (Valenciennes). 



Head3f; depth 3*. Body rather elongate; preopercle with 2 spines; 

 opercular spines 3, well developed; dorsal fins well separated. Color red, 

 with darker cross shades on sides of back ; fins dusky. (Valenciennes.) 

 Galapagos Archipelago. This species is known from the description and 

 figure given by Valenciennes. The description speaks of 10 dorsal and 2 

 anal spines, but it is evident from the figure that this is an ordinary 

 Hypticus, the short or rudimentary rays of the dorsal and anal having 

 been taken by Valenciennes for spines. The red coloration, us shown on 

 the figure, is exceptional in this genus, and its correctness may be 



