DB. GUNTHER ON THE HSHBS OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 411 



The colour is purplish grey, with numerous dark spots about as large as the pupil ; 

 those of the pectoral and caudal fins are smaller and more crowded, of the dorsal, anal, 

 and ventral more like those of the body. 



The specimens are from 11 to 15 inches long, and were found by Capt. Dow at 

 Panama. 



We have received also a smaller example, 5 inches long, from the same gentleman. It 

 differs from those described above in being provided with five cross bands, paler in colour 

 than the spots, which are one-third the size of the eye. The dorsal fin is scarcely 

 notched, the tenth spine being but little shorter than the third or fourth, the length of 

 wliich is contained twice and two-thirds in that of the head. The example being 

 young, its eye is comparatively larger. 



14. Plectkopoma afrum. (PI. LXVII. fig. 3.) 



Epimphelus afer, Bloeli, Taf. .327 (fide Peters, Monatsber. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, 1865, p. 105). 



Alphestes afer, Bl. Schn. p. 236. 



Plectropoma chloroptervm, Cuv. & Val. ii. p. 398. Poey, Mem. Cub. i. p. 73, lam. 9. fig. 3. 



monacanthus, Miill. & Trosch. in Schomb. Hist. Barb. p. 605. Giintli. Fisb. i. p. 164. 



multiguttatum, Guutli. Pioc. Zool. Soc. 1866, p. 600. 



D. ji^. A. I L. lat. 75. 



Caudal rounded. The height of the body is equal to the length of the head, and 

 contained twice and three-fourths in the total (without caudal). The diameter of the 

 eye is one-fifth of the length of the head, and a little less than that of the snout. 

 Prseoperculum with a strong spinous tooth below the angle, pointing forwards. Olive- 

 brown, head and body with numerous spots. 



Description. — Body somewhat elevated ; its greatest height is below the fourth spine 

 of the dorsal, and equal to the length of the head, which is contained thrice and one- 

 third in the total (the caudal included). The distance between the dorsal and the 

 caudal is contained seven times and one-third in the length of the base of the 

 dorsal fin, twice in that of the base of the anal, four times in the distance between the 

 dorsal fin and the snout, and is considerably less than the least deptli of tlie tail. The 

 distance between the eyes is about two-thirds of the diameter of the eye, and covered with 

 scales which extend forward beyond the nostrils on the prteorbital, and in a narrow 

 band on the upper maxillary. The length of the snout equals the diameter of the 

 eye, which is one-fifth of the length of the head. The maxillary reaches a little beyond 

 the level of the posterior margin of the eye. The mandibulaiy is covered with minute 

 scales, and is equal to one-half the length of the head. The lips are thick and fleshy. 

 The posterior limb of the prseoperculum slants obliquely backwards, and is minutely 

 serrated, the denticulations becoming coarser at the angle ; and beneatli on tlie lower 

 limb at some distance from the other teeth there is a single .strong tooth pointing 

 downwards, and nearly concealed by the skin ; sub- and interoperculum not serrated. 



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