190 MEMOIRS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM 
A fine specimen from Takao, twelve inches long, agrees in all essential respects 
with the original description and figure by Temminck & Schlegel of the type from 
Japan. 
Family KYPHOSID/. 
195. Girella mezina Jordan & Starks. 
One example, eleven and one-half inches long, in good color, was received from 
Takao. It is very dark in color, the pale cross-bar shown in the original type being 
entirely obliterated. Apparently this marking, like the white spot on the back of 
the related California species, Girella nigricans, is a character of youth. The 
Cremdens leonimus of Richardson from Canton after a figure of Reeves may be this 
species, or it may be the Japanese species called Crenidens melanichthys by Richard- 
son and Girella leona by Jordan & Starks (Proc. U. 8S. Nat. Mus., 1907, p. 497). 
In view of this uncertainty, until we know which species occur at Canton, we may 
use the name Girella melanichthys for this species, which is the Melanichthys of Tem- 
minck & Schlegel. ‘There are thus three species of Girella in the waters of southern 
Japan and Formosa. These are, Girella punctata Gray, Girella melanichthys Richard- 
son (= Melanichthys Schlegel = Girella leonina Jordan & Starks, perhaps not Creni- 
dens leoninus Richardson) and Girella mezina Jordan & Starks (perhaps = Crenidens 
leoninus Richardson). Temminck & Schlegel describe and figure the opercle in 
Melanichthys as scaled throughout, which is not the case. The figure shows the 
more oblong form and general profile of the fish we call here Girella melanichthys. 
The type of Girella punctata came also from Canton. The description of Dr. 
Giinther (Cat. I, p. 427) evidently includes Girella melanichthys as well as Girella 
punctata. 
Family GERRID Z&. 
196. Xystema punctatum (Cuvier & Valenciennes). 
Three specimens from Takao, four to seven inches long. Of fifteen specimens 
examined from the Philippines and Formosa none had more than seven anal rays. 
This is the Xystema punctatum of Jordan & Seale and probably also the original 
Gerres punctatus of Cuvier & Valenciennes. 
Kotosho (Jordan & Evermann). 
197. Xystema abbreviatum (Bleeker). 
(Native name O-ke.) 
One specimen from Takao, four inches long. The anal has eight rays, though 
two young specimens from Cavite have only seven. ‘These were not distinguished 
from X. pwnctatum by Jordan & Seale. This is, however, a shorter, deeper-bodied 
