23ti 



BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



Family SPHYK.-EMD.K. 



43. Sphyraena barracuda (Walbaum). 



Specimens have been taken ranging from 1.5 inches long t" more than 5 feet. The large fish ran 

 he seen almost any calm day in the shoal water inside of Bush Key. They rarely, if ever, take the 

 honk, but can be captured easily by approaching them quietly in a boat and using a harpoon. The 

 meat is not good, being coarse and very tough. (T. I 



Family HOLOCENTRIM. 



44. Holocentrus ascensionis (Osbeck). 



This species has been reported from the Tortugas by other collectors, ami is well known to local 

 fishermen, but none was seen by Dr. Thompson. 



45. Holocentrus siccifer (Cope). 



Heretofore known only by one specimen taken in the Bahamas. The species lives in the most 

 secluded crevices and nooks at the base of coral heads. The only way that it can he captured, appar- 

 ently, is by the use of dynamite. Several specimens taken. (T.) 



This species may lie the same as //. r, cillarius Poey, hut the latter is said to have a slenderer form 

 and somewhat different coloration. In II. siccifer the membrane of the dorsal tin is dusky, with paler 

 spots above and below, the membranes of the first three spines usually nearly black, axil with a black 

 spot. 



46. Holocentrus tortugse .Ionian A Thompson, new species. Figure I. 



Head 3.30 in length to base of caudal; depth .'i."> (4. ID to tip of caudal i: eye 2.75 in head; maxil- 

 lary 2.20 in head; IK \i, 1.".; A. iv, S; scales 4-42-7. Fourth dorsal spine 2.05 in head; soft dorsal 

 rays 2 in head; third anal spine 2.10; caudal lobes 1.50 in head; pectoral 1.55; ventrals 1.50. 



Fin. 1- — Holocentrus tortugn Jordan & Thompson, new species. Type. 



Body elliptical-elongate, more slender than in any other West Indian species, the dorsal outline 

 very even; head rather pointed; mouth small, the jaws subequal, the maxillary extending a little past 

 middle of eye; eye very large; preorbital serrated, and with a small spine anteriorly; preopercular 

 spine short, 3 in eye; opercular spines moderate, the upper small and close appressed to the second, 

 which is rather long, the third shorter and slenderer; dorsal spines rather high: soft dorsal elevated; 

 caudal lobes equal; third anal spine much longer than fourth, not reaching near the end of (belong 

 and slender caudal peduncle; pectorals moderate; scales rather small, moderately rough. 



Color in spirits, grayish, silvery below, the snout, head, and upper parts much dotted with black; 

 a silvery streak along each row of scales, this narrower and more distinct above, 10 such streaks 

 evident; a dark streak downward and backward from eye, with a pale streak above and below it; fins 



