G12 REPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [14] 



Genus IV.— SYMPHODUS. 



Symphodus Eafinesque, Caratteri di Alcuni Nuovi Generi, 1810, 41 (fulvescens). 

 Crenilabrus Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. i, 1817, 263 (rujpestris, bideus, norvegicus). 

 Coricus Cuvier, Regne Animal, 1817, 263 (virescens Risso = scina). 

 Cyneedus Swainson, Nat. Hist. Class'n. Aniin., ii, 229, 1839 (tinea, etc.). 



Type : Symphodus fulvescens Eafinesque — Labrus scina Forskal. 



Etymology : 2u/j.</>u7}s grown together, odooq tooth. 



This genus is composed of small fishes strongly resembling the young 

 of the genus Labrus, hut distinguished from the species of the latter 

 genus by the large size of the scales. The species which reach the 

 largest size most resemble the species of Labrus, in the large lips, 

 smaller scales, stronger teeth, and weaker serrature of the preopercle. 

 As, however, no really intermediate forms exist, the genus seems to us 

 well established. 



We agree with Dr. Gunther, that the production of the snout in S. 

 rostratus is not a character of such importance as to justify placing that 

 species in a separate genus (Coricus). The name Symphodus has prior- 

 ity over Coricus and Crenilabrus,* and must supersede both names if 

 the groups are united. 



The species of Symphodus are quite variable both in form and colora- 

 tion. All of them are readily recognized, however, although there are 

 some individuals of almost every species which will not quite answer to 

 the characters given in the following analysis. 



ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF SYMPHODUS. 



a. Head not notably long and low, its depth at centre of eye more than half its 

 length and considerably more than length of snout ; premax- 

 illaries moderately protractile, the length of their posterier 

 processes from tip of upper jaw backward about one-third 

 head (Crenilabrus Cuvier.) 

 b. Scaly part of cheek comparatively broad, usually broader than eye, and provided 

 with 4 to 6 (rarely 3) rows of scales; dorsal spines 15 to 17; 

 scales 33 to 35 ; (snout shorter, lips thicker, and preopercle 

 less serrate than in the next group). 

 c. Base of pectoral with a very conspicuous jet-black spot, which extends on the 

 fin ; color usually greenish, the back with very faint dark cross- 

 shades ; a large, more or less distinct dusky blotch at base of 

 caudal above ; dorsal and anal with a longitudinal dusky 

 shade ; all the vertical fins with small blue dots ; snout dusky ; 

 soft dorsal and anal high, considerably higher than the spines ; 

 anterior profile nearly straight ; snout 2f in head; head 3|- in 

 length ; depth 3£. D. XVII, 9 ; A. Ill, 10; scales on cheek in 

 three or four rows Mkditerraneus, 10. 



*Swainson remarks: "Mr. Cuvier having expressly stated that the type of his 

 genus Crenilabriis is Luljanvs verres of Bloch, I have so retained it, placing all the others 

 which seem peculiar to the Mediterranean Seas under the subgenus Cyneedus." I 

 find no such, statement made anywhere by Cuvier. 



