134 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



253. Menticirrus panamensis (Steindachner). 



The most abundant sj^ecies of the genus at Panama. Fourteen specimens 

 were preserved, the largest 33 cm. in length. The following additions may be made 

 to Dr. Steindachner's description, in the light of our large series. 



Dorsal X, I, 20 or 21; anal I, 9. Depth 4| to 4| (rather than nearly 4 as 

 stated by Steindachner) in length without caudal; head 3 to 3|. Eye 7 to 8 in head; 

 snout 34^ to 4. The anterior nostril is round, and is separated from the posterior 

 nostril by a space equal to half its diameter. To its posterior edge is attached a der- 

 mal Qap, which extends back to the posterior nostril. The latter is a little broader 

 than the former, and twice as long. It ends at a distance equal to its length from 

 the orbital edge (exclusive of the adipose eyelid). The outer series of teeth in the 

 upper jaw consists of from 6 to 10 irregularly spaced canines, those in the front of 

 the jaw much enlarged. 



When the spinous dorsal is depressed, the tip of the third dorsal spine reaches 

 to, or a very little past, the front of the second dorsal. The length of the third spine 

 is contained in the length of the body 5 to 5^^ times; it equals the caudal and is con- 

 tained 1^ to 1-4^ in the pectoral (Steindachner describes it as equal to the pectoral). 

 The caudal is conspicuously S-shaped; the upper lobe shorter than in other species; 

 its tip not extending beyond the lower rounded lobe. 



M. panamensis difiers from M. nasus in having a longer head, smaller eye, 

 smaller nostrils placed farther from the eye, larger canines, and shorter dorsal spines. 

 The anal base is longer, the fin is not so much rounded in outline. There are two 

 less dorsal rays and one more anal ray; the upper augulated lobe of the caudal 

 does not jn-oject beyond the rest of the fin. M. panamensis probably reaches a 

 larger size. 



254. Menticirrus elongatus {Giinther). 

 Frequently seen, but less abundant than M. panamensis. 



255. Polyclemus dumerili (Bocourt). 



Very abundant in the Panama market during the early part of January. The 

 species has been admirably described by Dr. Steindachner (1875 b, p. 31) under 

 the name Oenyanemus fasciatus. It may be well to note that the pectoral and ventral 

 fins are densely scaled, as well as the soft portions of the vertical fins. Below are 

 given the colors in the fresh state. 



Silvery gray on back, sometimes tinged with deep reddish yellow. Lower 

 half of sides, including belly and under side of caudal peduncle, salmon-red. 

 Breast and area about ventrals dusky silvery. Bars jet-black. Sides and top of 

 head dusky. Opercular lining blackish. Under side of head generally, including 

 opercular membrane and under side of snout, tinged with salmon. Dorsal, caudal 

 and pectoral fins straw-color, made dusky by minute points. Soft dorsal with a 

 narrow black margin. Spinoiifs^ dorsal largely blackish. Anal orange-yellow. 

 Ventrals dusky yellow. 



