322 GOBIES OF THE PHILIPPINES 



along middle of side from angle of pectoral to caudal ; the first 

 dorsal brown, with upper margin white, under it a black cross- 

 band, and beneath that a narrow clear stripe; on posterior basal 

 region are circular white spots; the second dorsal brown with a 

 darker, submarginal crossband, the lower part brown spotted; 

 the caudal has eight crossrows of brown spots ; the pectoral uni- 

 form pale brown, the anal and ventrals colorless. 



The scale count, dorsal spines, and color of this remarkable 

 fish vary greatly. In many specimens the color scheme of the 

 dorsals is like that of Periophthalmus barbarus. 



The Bureau of Science collection contains also six specimens, 

 58 to 85 millimeters in length, from Odiongan, Tablas, which I 

 place here, though with some misgivings. They have the large 

 scales and general appearance of P. schlosseri, but have only 

 one row of teeth in each jaw while the dorsal fin and body colors 

 are much like those of P. barbarus. In the males the first dorsal 

 spine is much elongated. 



Jordan and Seale recorded a specimen from Cavite, but in 

 general this species has been overlooked by all collectors, largely 

 because of its close similarity to Periophthalmus barbarus in 

 habits and habitat. What has been said about the last-named 

 species applies to the present species, and it probably occurs all 

 along our coasts, though less plentifully than P. barbarus. 



Owing to its great variability five or more specific names have 

 been applied to this mud skipper, but no attempt is here made 

 to give all of its synonymy. 



It ranges from the coasts and estuaries of Bengal eastward 

 through the East Indies. It reaches a length of 230 millimeters 

 or more. 



I received, since the above was written, three very fine speci- 

 mens through the kindness of Mr. Detrick, manager of the Polo 

 Coconut Plantation at Tanjay, Oriental Negros. The largest 

 one is 175 millimeters long and is very bulky; the smallest, 132. 



Genus 70. BOLEOPHTHALMUS Valenciennes 



Boleophthalmus Valenciennes in CUVIER and VALENCIENNES, Hist. 

 Nat. Poiss. 12 (1837) 149. 



The teeth in upper jaw conical, sharp, simple, in a single row, 

 the front ones curved canines; in lower jaw is a single row of 

 horizontal teeth dilated above, their tips truncate or slightly 

 emarginate or obliquely lobed ; behind these on each side of sym- 

 physis is a strong canine. The scales small to very small, 60 to 

 100 in a longitudinal series, extending forward upon head, and 



