88 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



P. rubrum. (Cuv. et Val. Vol. 5, p. 283.) Red. The third spine of the anal not longer than the 

 second. Allied in form to the preceding. D. 12. 14 ; A. 3.9. 



GENUS LOBOTES. Cuvier. 



Branchial rays six. Snout short. Dorsal and anal fins elongated behind. Preopercle with 

 strong dentations. Dorsal spines in a sheath. Four or five small pores on the chin. 



Obs. In addition to the character assigned above, Lobotes is farther distinguished by a 

 prominent lower jaw, and a slightly concave profile ; the dorsal and anal so much lengthened 

 out behind as to cause the body to appear as if ending in three lobes. It is a small group, 

 containing as yet but four species. 



THE BLACK TRIPLE-TAIL. 



Lobotes surinamensis. ^ 



plate xviii. fig. 49. 



Holocentnis surinamensis. BlocH, pi. 243. 



Bodianus triurus, Triple-tailed Perch. MiTCH. Lit. and Phil. Soc. Vol. 1, p. 418, pi. 3, fig. 10. 



ie Lobotes de Suritiam. Cuv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. Vol. 5, p. 319. 



Characteristics. Blackish mixed with ferruginous. A foot or more in length. 



Description. Form elliptical, deepest opposite the first dorsal ray. Scales moderately 

 large, adherent, forty-five in a longitudinal row and thirty in a vertical line ; their edges ciliate, 

 and small ones are observed on the bases of the vertical fins. Lateral line tubular, concur- 

 rent with the back. Nape rather prominent, somewhat concave behind the eyes. Head 

 covered with scales, except on the snout and the end of the jaws. Lower jaw somewhat 

 projecting. Velvet-like teeth, with a row rather larger and conical in front of the jaws. 

 Opercle with ten to twelve sharp denticulations ; the two points on the angle of the opercle 

 only apparent to the touch. Surscapulary bone small, with minute denticulations. Ten to 

 twelve denticulations on the humeral bone, above the pectorals. 



Dorsal fin long, with twelve subequal spines and fifteen soft rays ; the longest rays of the 

 soft portion reach nearly to the middle of the caudal fin. Pectoral fins small, oblong. Ven- 

 trals beneath them, longer, and with a very robust spine. Anal fin with three spinous and 

 eleven soft rays ; coterminal with the dorsal, and with equally long rays. Caudal rounded. 



Color. Back and sides rusty black ; abdomen dingy rufous, variegated with black and yel- 

 low specks. A dull yellow distinguished behind the eyes, above the gill-covers, along the 

 base of the dorsal fin, commencement of the lateral line, and under the pectoral fins. Dorsal, 

 anal and ventral fins slightly tinctured with yellowish. 



