1330 Bulletin //, United States National Museum. 



dd. Mouth small, the maxillary not reaching beyond anterior edge of orbit, 



about 3 in head; pectorals long, 1 in head; scales large, 45 to 48. 



Body ovate-elongate, compressed, considerably elevated at nape; 



anterior profile straight or slightly concave from nape to point of 



snout; snout sharp and pointed. 



/. Eye 4| in head; dorsal fin very deeply notched, the spines long 

 and strong, the longest about 2 in head ; second anal spine very 

 long and strong, about 2 in head; pectoral long, reaching a 

 little beyond the vent, about 3^ in body. Coloration dusky, 

 with a metallic luster above, lighter below ; back with about 4 

 dusky transverse bands extending to level of pectoral. 



MACRACANTHUS, 1702. 



/. Eye 3 in head; second anal spine more than half head, longer 

 than fourth dorsal spine. ANDREI, 1703. 



RHONCISCUS (diminutive of poy/co?, grunter) : 

 cc. Dorsal spines XIII; preorbital narrow. 



g. Body moderately elongate, the depth 2f to 3 in length. 



h. Snout pointed, 3f in head. Body elongate, compressed, the back 

 elevated, high at the nape, the anterior profile rather irregular 

 varying with age; a more or less distinct frontal depression 

 above eye in old specimens; mouth small, the maxillary 

 barely extending to the anterior edge of orbit; lower jaw 

 included; scales rather large, 6-54-16, those above the lateral 

 line parallel; dorsal fin moderately notched; second anal spine 

 very strong and long, reaching past tips of all the rays; pec- 

 toral short. Color rather plain, about 3 or 4 ill-defined longi- 

 tudinal dark stripes along sides, one from point of snout to 

 middle of base of caudal. CROCRO, 1704. 



hh. Snout longer, moderately pointed, about 3 in head; body elongate, 

 ovate, compressed, the back elevated, depth about 3 in length ; 

 pectorals rather long, 1J in head; anterior profile steep and 

 convex oA 7 er snout, depressed above eye, becoming slightly 

 convex at nape ; top of head with a slight depression ; mouth 

 small, the maxillary barely reaching to the anterior edge 

 of eye; preorbital very narrow; eye very large, about 3 in 

 head; soft dorsal and anal slightly scaly at base; dorsal fin 

 only moderately notched, the soft part much shorter and 

 lower than the spinous portion ; dorsal spines very high and 

 stout, fourth 1 in head; second anal spine A-ery long and 

 strong, Ig in head; pectoral long; caudal slightly lunate. 

 Color iiniformly silver-gray, the base of each scale slightly 

 darker. BRANICKI, 1705. 



gg. Body very long and low, compressed, the back little elevated, the 

 depth about 3f in length ; pectorals shortish, 1 in head. Second 

 anal spine very long, 1J in head; anterior profile irregular, 

 straightish over snout, slightly convex above eye, occiput con- 

 cave, convex at nape; mouth moderate; maxillary reaching to 

 front of pupil; teeth at angle of preopercle almost spiny; eye 

 large ; base of soft dorsal and anal naked or slightly scaly ; dorsal 

 fin only slightly notched, the soft part about half as long as spiny 

 portion; dorsal spines very strong; second anal spine very long, 

 reaching beyond tips of last rays. Color of body metallic grayish- 

 golden, with indistinct streaks and bauds; belly lighter; fins 

 dusky. RAMOSUS, 1706. 



