CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 733 



SBRRANUS, Ouv. 

 (Centropristis, Ferca.) 



S. nigrescens, Bl. & Schn. (atrariut.) Northern Black Sea Bass. 

 Blackflsh. 



Canine teeth of outer row small ; caudal fin trilobed ; color 

 dusky, more or less mottled, with traces of pale longitudinal 

 streaks along the rows of scales; young greenish, often with 

 dark lateral band, sometimes cross bars ; dorsal with whitish 

 spots ; body robust ; head large, little compressed ; top of head 

 naked ; about eleven rows of scales on cheeks ; mouth oblique, 

 low ; dorsal spines strong ; pectorals as long as ventrals (longer 

 in southern variety, atrarius). Dorsal rays, X, 10 ; anal rays, 

 III, 7 ; lateral-line scales, 50; length, 12 inches, 



" This species is the best known of our coast fish to the market- 

 people. During the spring and summer it is brought in great 

 numbers from our coast generally. The species never reaches a 

 very great size, the largest specimens met with by the author 

 measuring fifteen inches," 



ORBOLU3, J. & G. 



(Faranthias. Braohyrhmus, &o,) 



O, furcifer, Cuv. & Val. {Serranus.) 



Is a revision of the following : 



"Epinephelus oxypteras. Sharp-finned Corvina. 



"A specimen of this fish is described ia De Kay's Report, as 

 having been met with in New York, The writer has not seen a 

 living specimen,'' — [C. C. A.J Its occurrence on our coast is 

 still doubtful. 



TRI80TR0PIS, Gill. 

 T. stomias, G. & B. Black Grouper. 



Dark gray, freckled with paler, but no distinct spots; fins 

 tipped with black ; month large ; body slender ; scales smooth, 

 with many accessory scales. Lateral-line scales, 140, Rare 

 north of Virginia, The following note seems to refer to a 

 variety of the next species : 



"Bipinephelus maris. Groper, 



" There is but one specimen preserved from the coast of New 

 Jersey known to the writer, A southern species." 



