CENTEAECHID^. 29 



The following description is taken from a large number of individ- 

 uals sent by Dr. 0. C. Abbott to the Smithsonian Institution from 

 Trenton, N. J., and from others collected by Prof. Baird at Beaseley's 

 Point, N. J. :— 



Body rather short and deep, but more elongate than in any of the 

 others; the head 2f in length, the depth 2^; the eye large, longer than 

 snout, 3^ in head ; mouth moderate, very oblique, the maxillary reach- 

 ing to just past the front of the orbit. 



Dorsal spines medium; the soft rays in the males somewhat elevated, 

 reaching when depressed just to the base of the caudal; the longest 

 soft ray as long as from the snout to the preopercular margin. In the 

 females, the rays are shortened, but the sexual differences are much 

 less marked than in E. pinniger. Anal spines long, rather rapidily 

 graduated, the longest soft rays as long as those of the dorsal. 



Ventral tins as in E. pinniger, the longest rays in the males filament- 

 ous and reaching the soft rays of anal ; in the females shorter. Pecto- 

 ral fins rather long, reaching middle of anal. Lateral line complete. 



Fin-rays:— D. IX, 10 ; A. Ill, 9. Scales 3-30-9. 



General coloration similar to that of E. pinniger. Body dark olive ; 

 very young specimens with faint traces of vertical bars ; a moderate- 

 sized opercular spot, smaller than in E. obesus, bordered above and below 

 with luminous blue. Near the anterior edge of the " ear-flap" is a cres- 

 cent-shaped pearly-blue spot, which, though small, is very consi)icuous. 

 Traces of a similar mark may be observed on E. obesus. Sides of head, 

 whole body, and vertical fins with round bright blue spots arranged in 

 irregular rows ; these spots most distinct on the cheeks and opercles 

 and on the lower parts of the sides. 



This species resembles the preceding; but the males may be dis- 

 tinguished at once by the much less development of the fins and by the 

 smaller size. The females of the two species bear more resemblance to 

 each other, but difter in a similar way, though to a less degree. 



Length of specimens examined about 2f inches. 



Many specimens in the United States National Museum from the 

 Potomac Eiver, Delaware Eiver and from localities in New Jersey. 



The real affinities of E. margarotis are probably rather with E. obesus, 

 and especially E. gloriosus, than with E. pinniger. 



Bryttus fasciatus Holbrook seems to be identical with E. obesus. 



1 have seen no specimens of E. gloriosus, and know it only by Hol- 

 brook's description and figure. 



