2 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 9I 



two scales only at upper anterior corner. (As in the other species of its 

 genus, the scales are more or less deciduous, and the specimen de- 

 scribed has most of the scales missing. The above description is based, 

 therefore, on a study of the scale pockets to a large extent ; conse- 

 quently, a study of specimens having complete scalation may necessi- 

 tate some changes in the above statements. No scales at all are now 

 present on the opercle, but feeble traces of scale pockets may be 

 discerned.) 



First dorsal with seven flexible spines, the middle ones much pro- 

 longed, the fourth longest, its tip reaching base of seventh ray of 

 second dorsal when placed flat along the back, the fifth spine but 

 slightly shorter, the third reaching to base of fourth ray, the sixth to 

 base of second ray. Second dorsal and anal each with 12 rays (includ- 

 ing the first unbranched ray, and counting the last two, which are 

 approximated at their base, as one) ; origin of anal under base of 

 second dorsal ray, end of anal base under base of penultimate dorsal 

 ray ; posterior rays of vertical fins notably prolonged, especially those 

 of dorsal, when depressed their tip extending for a considerable dis- 

 tance beyond end of hypoural. Pectoral with 20 rays, its tip reaching 

 a vertical through base of second anal ray. Ventral inserted but little 

 behind base of pectoral, its tip reaching slightly past origin of anal ; 

 interspinal membrane well developed. Caudal lanceolate, long, nearly 

 equaling one-half the standard length. Anterior nostril with a broad, 

 very low tubule ; posterior nostril with its rim hardly raised. (The 

 cutaneous papillae are not well enough preserved to be described 

 accurately, but their distribution apparently does not differ appreciably 

 from the other species of the genus.) 



Measurements. — A male, 39 mm in standard length. Caudal 49, 

 ventral 31, pectoral 28, greatest depth 25, least depth of caudal 

 peduncle 13, length of head (not including the fleshy border) 31, 

 depth of head directly behind eye 20, width of head at same point 17, 

 postorbital part of head 16, maxillary 15, eye 12, snout 8, and ante- 

 dorsal distance 36 percent of standard length. 



Color. — Ground color yellowish, upper third of body and side of 

 head irregularly washed with blackish shades, lower third sparsely 

 and uniformly pigmented with nearly evenly distributed minute 

 chromatophores, underside of belly silvery ; a median series of five 

 diffuse, very faint blotches, the first under spinous dorsal, the last 

 at base of caudal most distinct; first dorsal with a posterior black 

 blotch having a rather diffuse boundary, anterior margin of fin with 

 interrupted black streaks, entire fin diffusely shaded with blackish 

 pigment faintly suggesting the following, namely, two lengthwise 



