478 



CONTRIBUTION TO THE 



Balistes vetui.us, Linn., Hollard Ann. Bci. Nat, 1854, 305. Poey Repertorio, 1888, 434. 

 St. Martins, Dr. Rljgersma; St. Croix, K. I-;. Griffith, M. D. ; St. Kitts, 15. II. Lightfoot. 



Balistes ficetjs, Poey, Proo. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1803, p. 180. 

 St. Croix, H. E Grillith, M. D. 



Balistes mortbukdits, Copesp. nov. 



This species belongs to the section of the genus with shields above the axilla, but whether to any of Hollard's sub- 

 sections seems doubtful. The scales are furnished with two rows of delicate spines, several in an anterior curved 

 row, and two in a posterior. Thus the characters are like those of some of the bristly Mo nacantJu. The form is 

 elevated, and the third dorsal spine is long ; there are no spines on the caudal peduncle. 



Radii, I). 20 ; A. 26 : none of those of either I'm prolonged. Caudal regularly convex. Dorsal spine bristly in front. 

 Pelvic bone elongate, spinous behind. Pelvic depth twice, humeral depth 2.25 times in total length. Diameter of 

 orbit twice in muzzle. Anterior teeth acuminate. Cheek-scales numerous rugose, no naked fissures. Profile nearly 

 straight. Length of dorsal spine 1.5 times orbit. Eight rather long post-pelvic radii. 



Color brown, with many blue spots all over tho sides of the head and body, the pelvic and gular regions unicolor. 

 Three black spots at the base of the second dorsal fin, one at the base of the first. Length 2.5 inches. 



S'. Martins, Dr. K. E. van Rijgersma. 



Balistes asperrimus, Cope sp. nov. 



Division I. A. of tho genus, of Hollard ; that is, tho scapular squamation similar to that of the sides, and the 

 third dorsal spine well developed ; tho cheek-scales not separated by naked fissures. 



The scales possess a, convex vertical series of short acute spines, with a median large spine directed backward 

 from tho middle of the series. Its anterior margin is sharp, and its anterior base supported by a number of conver- 

 gent ribs. The spines of the dorsal scales have a branch-scale at the base in front. The cheek-scales are very num- 

 erous and not larger than those of the body. Padii D. 20 ; A. 24. Orbit largo 2.25 times in muzzle, four times in 

 head. Dorsal spine long, stout, with four rows of spinules, smooth behind. No larger caudal spines. Caudal (in 

 convex, without projecting angles. 



Pelvic depth 1.8, humeral 2.3 times In total length ; anal depth 2.4 times in tho same. Length three inches. Pro- 

 file nearly straight, interrupted by tho convex orbital margin. 



Color, brown above, yellowish below. Four longitudinal dark brown stripes above the middle of tho side, which 

 break into spots posteriorly. Three brown spots at base of dorsal fin. Belly with broad irrogular dark bands; on 

 tin; caudal peduncle and pelvic region similar broad bands form a coarse reticulated pattern. Fins brown spotted. 



Locality uncertain, but probably St. Martins, W. I. 



This species is quite distant from its allies B. macrops and />. sobaco, of Poey. 



Balistes melanoi'tekus, Cope sp. nov. 



Nearly related to the last, and of the same section of the genus. Its characteristic differences from B. asperrimus 

 are seen in tho scales, which are only spiniferous on the posterior middle of tho side, and on the caudal peduncle, in- 

 stead of being so over the whole body ; in the first dorsal ray which is rugose, not spiniferous ; in tho increased num- 

 ber of dorsal and anal radii, in tho interorhilal region, which is convex in cross section, not concave ; and finally in 

 color. 



Radii 2 D. 24 ; A. 21. Anterior rays much larger than posterior, but not produced beyond tho membrane. Ex- 

 tremity of caudal fin slightly rounded. First spinous dorsal ray as long as from orbit to rictus oris, rugose, the ruga 1 

 almost spinous distally, the points all directed forward, not outward as in B. asperrimus. Third spine well developed. 

 Scales with three rows of spines on tho posterior, and four on tho anterior part of the body. On tho former, one an- 

 terior is prominent and directed backward, some ten rows being most marked ; they disappear toward other parts of 

 tho body, and the smaller spines become tubercles. The whole surface of the scale is covered with these, and the 



