NKW SPECllOS OF I'lIILlIMMNK FISHKS. .',17 



unmarked except the upper surface of the fu'st ray ol' pectoi-als which is 

 gray, and the ventrals, which have some dusky on their posterior third. 



Type is No. 5080 taken at Balahac Island, V. I., 6 August, 1908. 

 Length, 230 millimeters. 



Family rOMACJ'^.NTinD.E. TJie Damsel-fishes. 

 Pomacentrus tropicus Scale, sp. nov. Plate XU, fig. 1. (Danif^.saliasa. i 



Head 3; depth 1.9.5; dorsal XTII, 14; anal II, 14; .scales 24, eighteen 

 pores in lateral line, 12 in vertical series; eye 3 in head; snout 3.75; 

 interorbital space 2, 7.5; ma.xillary 3.50; mandible 3.10; pectorals equal to 

 head posterior to nostril ; ventrals slightly longer than pectorals ; depth 

 of caudal peduncle 2.10. 



Body oblong, compressed, its greatest depth at origin of ventrals, this 

 depth being considerably greater than at origin of anal. Depth of caudal 

 peduncle greater than its length. 



Anterior profile from origin of dorsal to tip of snout, is strongly 

 rounded with a very slight constriction on nuchal region. Lower profile 

 not quite so strongly rounded as upper, jaws when closed are equal. 

 Interorbital space (>venly conve.x'. (Ji'catcst width of head 1.50 in its 

 greatest depth. Snout rounded, its median width being a third less than 

 its depth, its width considerable greater than its length, numerous small 

 pores on top of snout and on orbital ring. Preopercle strongly denticu- 

 late, narrow hut becoming abruptly \v](\v under antcrioi- margin of orbit, 

 this wide portion ending posteriuily below in one or more strong spines, 

 its anterior margin with a shallow notch ; width ol preorbital, at angle of 

 mouth, 2 in eye, width below midille of eye, 1.50 in pupil. Maxillary 

 scarcely extending to the anterior m;irgin ol orbit; manrlible ending 

 under anterior margin of orbit. Teeth in a single row in jaw>. Thev 

 are rather strong mid incisor-like, IS on each side of upper jaw; no 

 teeth on vomer or palatine. Gill openings wide, carried fonvard to 

 below anterior margin of eye. Gill rakers moderately strong, toothed 

 on their inner side, about 12 on lower limb. 



Body and head scaled, no scales on orbital ring. All fins except 

 ventrals more or less scaled; strong scaly sheaths at base of dorsal and 

 anal. The scales arc smooth with finely ctenoid margins, those on 

 median portion of sides largest. Three rows of scales on opcrrlr with a 

 few additional small scales on lower margin, flight scales between 

 dorsal and head, about 14 series on top of head. 



Origin of dorsal fin midway between tip of snout and base of twelfth 

 dorsal spine, the median spines of the fin arc longest, the first spine is 

 1.25 in eye, the eighth is 2 in head, the thirteenth is 2.10 in head. The 

 soft dorsal is pointed, its longest ray 1.50 in head. Anal similar to soft 

 dorsal, the second spine is 2 in head, the longest ra)' cijual to length of 

 head posterior of the nostril. Origin of first anal spine is imder the 



