33 



Pseiidoscarus vetida, Gill, MS. 



Scarus supcrlus, Poey, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, ii, 1860, 218. 



Pseiidoscarus superbus, Gctnther, Cat. Fish Brit. Mus. iv, 1862, 218. — Poey, Rep. 



Fis.-Nat. Cuba, ii, 1868, 346. 

 Pseudoscarus ])sittacus, Guntheh, op. cit. 225. 



The Mud-fish is very common, its gorgeous colors making it very 

 conspicuous as it swims. The young may be seen by the hundred in the 

 shallow rock-pools, while in the deeper waters the larger flsb are sailing 

 about with the precision and regularity of a squadron of cavalry under 

 drill. Though its flesh is not unpalatable, this fish is not often brought 

 to market) the enormous scales are much used in fancy work. The 

 species is recorded from several Antilles. 



The young fish differ much from the adult in coloration, their markings 

 closely approximating those of Pseudoscarus sanctce-crucis (Schn.) Gthr. 

 Since no specimens of the latter species measuring more than eight or 

 nine inches are on record, and none of P. vetula, in adult coloring, less 

 than eighteen inches in length have fallen under my observ^ation, it 

 seems possible that the two species may be the same in different stages of 

 growth, particularly since botli are usually recorded from the same 

 locality. The question of their identity may be easily decided by the 

 Bermudian naturalists. 



As is indicated in the synonymy, vetula is the specific name properly 

 belonging to this species. Parra (1. c.) gives an excellent figure of the 

 fish under the name Vieja, and on this figure Schneider founded his 

 Scarus vetula, the specific name being a translation of Parra's Vieja. 

 Of this fact, Yalenciennes was aware, and by it he was guided in adopt- 

 ing the name of Schneider. Professor Poey renamed the species with the 

 remark : " C'est a tort que M. Valenciennes rapport la figure de Parra 

 au 'Sc. vetula,^'' seemingly forgetful that Schn^eider's name was founded 

 not upon specimens, but upon Parra's figure solely. Dr. Giinther, adopt- 

 ing the views of Prof Poey, cites Scarus vetula as a synonym of Pseudo- 

 scarus psittacus, (Linn.) Gthr. 



PSEUDOSCAEUS C^RULEUS, (Bloch) Giinther. 



"OLAiMACOIiE" OE. " KiLMAGOEE." 



NovacuLi ccerulea, CATESBYjNat. Hist. Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, ii, 1743, 



18, pi. 18. 

 Conjijlicma ccerulea, Bloch, Ichth. v, 120. — Gmelin, Linn^, Syst. Nat. 1, 1788, 1791. 

 Scarus caridcus, Schneidek, Bloch, Syst. Ichth. 1, 1801, 288. 



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