476 



CONTRIBUTION TO THE 



Balistidm. 



Aleutekes pictubatus, Poey Proo. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., ISO!!, 188 ; Repertorio, Cuba, 1808, 488. 



New Providence, Bahamas, Dr. II. C. Wood. A specimen of Om.548 in length. Radii D. 47 ; A. 48. St. Mar- 

 tins, Dr. Rijgersma. 



Monacanthus macbocebus, Ilollard Ami. Sci. Nat. (4) II., 327; tab. 12 flg., 1. Poey Conspectus. 



St. Martins, Dr. R. E. van Rijgersma. 



Monacanthus ibbobatus, Poey Memorias s. II. Nat., Cuba II., 880. 



St. Croix, Dr. R. E. Griffith ; St. Martins, Dr. Rijgersma. 



Monacanthus tomkntosiis, Linno (Batiste*) Hollard 1. c, 848 ; Tab., 13 f. 1. 



St. Martins, Dr. R. E. van Rijgersma. 



Monacanthus daviosonii, Cope sp. nov. 



Char. x\41ied to M. villonus, Ehrbg. Scales with three acute spines on a common but low base ; no ventral fan ; 

 some large s[iines directed posteriorly on the caudal peduncle. Dorsal spine with strong teeth. Slender filaments 

 scattered distantly over the sides. Striped. 



Description. Spine of first dorsal fin one-half the depth of the body. Radii, 2 D. 30 ; A. 28. Pelvic plate elongate, 

 spinous all round ; abdominal margin strongly convex in front of vent, the posterior outline vertical. Spines of most 

 of the caudal peduncle villiform, among them, six spines in two clusters of three each, one above and one below the 

 median line. They are slender, with tips a very little recurved. Diameter of orbit about one-third length of muzzle. 



The floating processes are filiform, and not subdivided ; their length about equals the diameter of the eye. 



Color brown, with five longitudinal brown bands with pale centres. The superior and inferior form three dark 

 blotches at the base of each soft ray or fin. The anterior parts of the dots marked with numerous black dots. Head 

 immaculate ; caudal iin with a median brown cross-band. Depth at vent 2.2 times in length without caudal ; depth 

 at middle orbit 2.4 times in same. Length four inches. 



This species is near fcha M. villosus, Ehrb., in tho filamentous processes, and number of dorsal radii, but differs 

 much in the more elongate form, the caudal spines, the scale spines and the coloration. 



Habitat, the Florida Reef. Obtained by George Davidson of U. S. Coast Survey. This gentleman has devoted 

 spare moments and favorable opportunities, found during the performance of his duties, to the pursuit of Natural 

 History, and has enriched the museums of Philadelphia with many valuable objects. This species is dedicated to him. 



Monacanthus sfit.onotus, Cope sp. nov. 



Char. Scales supporting a pedicle whose summit divides into four or five radiating spines. Dorsal spine long, 

 with simple toeth behind. Brown with darker dorsal spot and streaks. 



Descr. No brush or spines on the caudal peduncle. Dorsal and anal fins elevated medially, descending pos- 

 teriorly rather abruptly; radii rosi>ectivcly, 32, 31-2. General form elongate Depth at vent 2.5 times in length, ex- 

 clusive of caudal fin ; length or dorsal spine 4.25 in same ; diameter of orbit not quite 3 times in length of muzzle. 

 Pelvic shield narrow, posterior movable portion present ; spines all round. Outline of front straight. Length 

 three inches. 



Color light brown, some longitudinal lines just below the dorsal fin, the median developing a dark spot below 

 the middle of the soft dorsal. 



Three specimens from the Gulf of Mexico, obtained by Capt. Baker. 



