DR. GUNTHEE OX THE FISHES OF CENTEAL AMEKICA. 407 



length (without caudal), the length of the head twice and four-fifths. Prseorbital 

 finely serrated ; suboperculum produced into a flap, which does not extend to the 

 vertical from the origin of the dorsal fin. The intermaxillary extends somewhat beyond 

 the anterior margin of the orbit. Dorsal spines strong; the third is longer than the 

 fourth, and half as long as the head. The second anal spine long, but a little shorter 

 than the third, and equal in length to the distance between the extremity of the upper 

 jaw and the prteopercular margin. The length of the ventral fin is much more than 

 one-half of its distance from the anal fin. Lateral line black. 

 Two specimens, 13 inches long, from Chiapam. 



.3. Centropomus nigeescens. 

 Gunth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 144.. 



D. 8 1 i A. ;?. L. lat. 70. 



Ten longitudinal series of scales between the origin of the second dorsal fin and the 

 lateral line. The height of the body is contained four times and a half in the total 

 length (without caudal), the length of the head twice and four-fifths. Prseorbital not 

 serrated; suboperculum produced into a short fiap, which does not extend to the 

 vertical from the origin of the dorsal fin. The intermaxillary extends a little beyond 

 the middle of the orbit. Dorsal spines rather feeble ; the third and fourth are equal 

 in length, two-fifths of the length of the head. The second and third anal spines also 

 are equal in length, and not longer than the dorsal spines mentioned. The length of 

 the ventral fin is scarcely more than one-half of the distance of its base from the anal. 

 Air-bladder without appendages anteriorly. Silvery ; upper parts and fins blackish ; 

 lateral line black. 



One specimen, 14 inches long, from Chiapam. 



This species is allied to C. appendiculatus (Poey), but difi'ers externally in its con- 

 siderably more feeble and shorter fin-spines. 



4. Centropomus parallelus. 

 Poey, Mem. Cuba, ii. p. 120. 



D. 8|1 A.? L. lat. 85-90. 



Twelve longitudinal series of scales between the origin of the second dorsal fin and 

 the lateral line. The height of the body is contained thrice and three-fourths in the 

 total length (without caudal), the length of the head twice and a half Prseorbital 

 distinctly serrated ; suboperculum produced into a flap, which extends to the vertical 

 from the origin of the dorsal fin. The intermaxillary extends a little beyond the 

 middle of the orbit. Dorsal spines rather feeble ; the third is the longest, half as long 

 as the head. The second anal spine is exceedingly strong, longer than the third and the 

 third dorsal spine. The length of the ventral fin is considerably more than one-half of 



