418 



DR. GiJNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 



third; the third spine is three-fourths the length of the fourth; the fifth is the 

 longest, its length being contained twice and two-thirds in the height of the body ; 

 the sixth and fourth spines are equal in height, and the subsequent spines decrease 

 gradually in length ; the twelfth, which must be considered part of the soft dorsal, is 

 slightly longer than the preceding spine, and equal to the tenth. The soft portion has 

 a rounded margin ; the third or highest ray is not quite equal to the fifth spine, and is 

 twice as long as the last. The spinous portion as well as the soft can be received into 

 a scaly sheath. The caudal fin is very slightly emarginate, scaly to within a short 

 distance from its tip, and one of its longest rays is nearly one-fifth of the total length. 

 The distance between the caudal and anal fins is less than the base of the latter ; the 

 first anal spine is opposite to the third ray of the dorsal, it is strong, broader on the right 

 side, and excavated posteriorly, and is one-half the length of the second, which is very 

 long and strong, equal in length to the fifth dorsal spine, and broader on the left side ; 

 the third anal spine is equal to the third of the dorsal, and little more than half the 

 height of the first ray ; the first and second rays are the longest, and the margin of the 

 soft portion is vertical. The pectoral is moderately long, its length being contained 

 four times and a half in the total. Root of ventral immediately behind that of 

 pectoral ; the spine is of moderate size and strength, a little more than half the length 

 of the first ray, which is produced about one-eighth of an inch at its tip ; the other rays 

 decrease gradually in height. The scales are of moderate size, very finely crenated, 

 with the margin convex. The lateral line is parallel with the curve of the back. Scales 

 silvery, with purple reflexions ; membrane between the scales brown ; fins blackisli. 



34. HiEMULON BKEVIROSTRUM. 



D. ^.. A. 5^. L. lat. 50. L. transv. 5/14. 



lo-ib 8-9 



This species is closely allied to H. chromis and //. carina, differing from both by its 

 much shorter and more convex snout. 



The height of the body is contained twice and 

 two-thirds in the total length (without caudal), 

 the length of the head thrice and one-fourth. 

 The snout is short, not much longer than the 

 diameter of the eye, which is more tlian one- 

 fourth of the length of the head. Cleft of the 

 mouth rather wide, the maxillary extending 

 beyond the vertical from the front margin of 

 the eye. Hind margin of the pra^operculum 

 slightly emarginate, its angle with more con- 

 spicuous denticulations. Dorsal fin notched, 

 with strong spines ; the fourth is the longest, 

 half as long as the head. Caudal fin forked. 



