508 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES, 
XXIII. CALAMUS. 
(Pez de Pluma.) 
Calamus Swainson, Nat. Hist. Fishes, 11, 1859, 222 (calamus). 
Grammateus Poey, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y., 1872, 182 (mierops). 
Type: Pagellus calamus Cuy. & Val. 
Etymology: Calamus, a quill or reed, from the quill-like interhzmal. 
This genus contains a number of species, all American, all very 
closely related, and valued as food-fishes. The best-known species 
are described in detail by Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U.S. N. M. 1888, p. 
14 et seq. 
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF CALAMUS. 
a. Seales comparatively small, 8, 9-5£ to 58-18, 19;* about 6 vertical rows of scales 
ou base of preopercle, with about 12 scales entering into the for- 
mation of the lower margin; species of large size, with the pre- 
orbital deep, the pectoral fin long, and the outer teeth strong. 
b. Body very deep, the back elevated, the depth in adult half the length to base of 
caudal; outer teeth about oe in number, the outer one on each 
side in one or both jaws somctimes enlarged, canine-like, some- 
times directed forwards, especially in the adult. 
c. Preorbital with reticulations of the bluish ground color around bronze svots; 
canines of upper jaw usually vertical, but sometimes, especially 
in old examples, directed more or less horizontally forwards; 
body deeper than in other species, depth 1,45 to 24; anterior pro- 
file not very steep, slightly curved; depth of preorbital less than 
half head; eye large, 34 to 3} in head; dorsal spines strong, the 
longest 2! to 24 in head; pectorals a little more than one-third 
body. Color silvery, the base and center of each scale golden, 
the edge bluish, these colors forming distinct streaks; a deep- 
violet streak below eye, not extending on eye or opercle; pre- 
orbital dull violet, this color forming reticulations around brassy 
spots; axil golden, with a violet bar; ventrals more or less 
dusky. Head, 34; depth, 2; scales, 8-56-18; D. x11, 12; A. 111, 
0 Sarge A ay ye ae a CN RR EY i 5 CALAMUS, 97. 
ce. Preorbital region, snout, cheek, and opercles brassy, crossed by horizontal, 
wayy, non-reticulating lines of violet blue, brightest on preor- 
bital and snout; asky-blue blotch behind eye over the opercle, 
extending a short distance on body; outer canines of upper jaw 
directed horizontally forward, except in the very young, these 
teeth longer than in C. calamus; anterior profile nearly straight 
and very steep to the nape, then strongly convex; depth of pre- 
orbital a little more than half head; pectoral 3 in body, Color 
silvery, each scale with a violet spot above and orange spots 
below; sides with dark crossbands in life, which disappear at 
death; ventrals chiefly yellow; axil slightly dusky. Head, 3}; 
depth, 2; scales, 8-58-18; D. xu, 12; A. 11, 10...PRORIDENS, 98. 
bb. Body more elongate, the depth 2}; to 2? in length. 
*Seales above the lateral line are counted from the base of the first dorsal spine, 
those below the lateral line from the base of the first anal spine. 
