-S70.] -^^ * , [Cope. 



and caudal; the former has a median series of red spots; tlie latter is pale 

 orange, Avith a black margin; no fins cross-barred; D. 2, with a black 

 margin. 



From "Warm Springs Creek, a tributary of the French Broad River, 

 Madison co., N. Carolina. 



This sjjecies is in general proportions intermediate between the P. ru- 

 filineatus and P. sanguifluus, but is in some points of coloration like the 

 P. camurus. That it is not the female of P. rufilineatus is clear, though 

 its size is similar to the smaller individuals of the latter. The coloration 

 alone would indicate that it was a male. 



POECILICHTHYS RUFILINEATUS, Cope. 



Species nova. 



Stout, the dorsal line elevated and descending regularly from the base 

 of the first dorsal ray to the end of the muzzle. Muzzle short, regularly 

 conic, about as long as the diameter of the orbit; latter smaller than in the 

 other species, 4.5 times in head. Maxillary to line of pupil. Cheeks 

 smooth, operculum scaly, with strong spine. Dorsal well developed; cau- 

 dal peduncle deep, caudal fin small truncate. Scales larger than in the 

 species above described; 6—41-7—7-8. Rays; 1st D. X. 12. A II. 8. 2nd, 

 D. XI. 12 A. II.8; 3rd, XI. 12, II.9; 4th, XI. 13, II.8; 5th and 8th, XII. 

 12 II.8; 6th, XII. 13, II.8; 7th, Xil. 11, II. 8. 



Lines. 



Length of the largest. 32.5 



Of a second 31 



Of head of latter 6.4 



Of caudal fin 4.4 



Of pectoral fin 6.4 



Basis of first dorsal 9.3 



Depth at occiput 2.3 



At middle first dorsal 5.8 



In males the color in life is j)ale olive for a ground above, Avith numer- 

 ous narrow longitudinal lines, each on the adjacent margins of the two 

 rows of scales. These include a number of quadrate spots of a mahogany 

 or brick red color, which alternate with each other, but are not regular in 

 position or number. Pectoral region turquoise blue, belly bright red 

 orange. Head with two longitudinal mahogany-colored bands, and a spot 

 of the same below the eye. Five red spots on each side of the head, on 

 operculum, preoperculum, suboperculum, and on each lip. Pectoral, ven- 

 tral, first and second dorsal and anal broadly crimson bordered, the last 

 with a narrow black margin. Caudal fin brownish, broadly vermillion 

 bordered, with a narrow black edging; two orange areas at the base. Anal 

 vermillion with yellow base and black margin on posterior half. 



Females are more olive, and the spots are partially confluent into verti- 

 tical bars; — D. 2, C, and A. black barred. A male forms a variety with 

 the quadrate spots obsolete and the D. 2, C, and A. with yellow mai'gin 

 inside the black. 



This fish was abundantly seen in Warm Springs Creek, which flows into 



