Jordan and Evermann. Fishes of North America. 1717 



674. PSEUDOMONACANTHUS, Bleeker. 

 Pseudomonacanthus, BLEEKER, Nedrl. Tydskr. Dierk., m, 1866, 11 (macrurus). 



This genus differs from Monacanthus chiefly in having the ventral spine 

 immovably attached to the pelvic bone. The dorsal spine has usually 

 about 4 rows of small barbs, the anterior edge as well as the posterior 

 being armed. Species chiefly East Indian. (t/>ev3i)$, false ; Monacanthus.) 



2134. PSEUDOMONACANTHUS AMPHIOXTS (Cope). 



Head2f; depth 2. D. 1,35; A. 30. Eye moderate, 3 in snout (in young 

 individual 2 inches long). Scales each with a single spine; no larger 

 spines or brush on caudal peduncle. Dorsal spine strong, inserted over 

 front of eye, 1 in head, its anterior face with 2 rows of small spinules 

 directed downward, and a single median series directed upward; near the 

 base of each spine of lateral series is a short branch spine directed upward; 

 a very weak series of spines down each side of the posterior face. Gill 

 opening slightly oblique, below posterior part of eye. Pelvic plate short, 

 without movable portion, with 2 spines directed forward, 2 backward, and 

 3 on each side upward; ventral flap inconspicuous. Color uniform dull 

 olive, the belly more silvery; caudal peduncle mottled with darker; fins 

 plain. Known from 2 young specimens collected at St. Martins Island, 

 West Indies, by Dr. Van Rijgersma. The above account taken from one 

 of the types kindly sent us bvDr. Edward J. Nolan. The species is a true 

 Pseudomonacanthus. (djufii, all around; 6? vg, sharp.) 



Monacanthus amphioxys, COPE, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. Phila. 1871, 477, St. Martins. 



675. ALUTERA, Cuvier. 



(FiLE FISHES.) 



LesAluttrcs, CCTVIER, Kegne Anim., Ed. i, 153, 1817 (monoceros). 

 Alutera, AGASSI/, Spix, Pise. Brasil., 137, 1829 (monoceros). 

 Ceratacanthus, GILL, Proc. Ac. Nat. Phila. 1861, 57 (aurantiacus) . 

 Aluteres, Alutariut, etc., corrected spelling. 

 Osbeckia, JORDAN & EVERMANN, Check-List Fishes, 424, 1896 (scripta). 



Body oblong or rather elongate, strongly compressed, covered with 

 minute, rough scales. Mouth and teeth essentially as in Monacanthus, but 

 the lower jaw more projecting, so that the lower teeth are directed 

 obliquely upward and backward. Gill opening an oblique slit, longer 

 than eye, situated below and in advance of eye, its posterior end behind 

 base of pectorals. Pelvic bone long, falcate, movable under the skin, 

 without spine at its extremity. Dorsal spine small, inserted over the eye, 

 rough, but without barbs ; soft dorsal and anal long, each of 36 to 50 rays; 

 caudal fin convex; pectorals small. Species numerous, (a privative, 

 /lur?7p, a deliverer; or (according to Dume'ril) aXovros, unwashed, 

 sordid.) 



CERATACANTHD8 (/cepas, horn ; a/cavcra, spine) : 



a. Dorsal rays I, 36. 



b. Anal rays 38; coloration nearly uniform. SCHCBPFII, 2135. 



