642 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [44] 



The Labrus radiatus of Linnaeus, in the tenth edition, is based solely 

 oh the pudding-wife* of Catesby. The Linnaean name, radiatus, must 

 therefore be taken for this species. In the twelfth edition the Labrus 

 radiatus disappears, and the pudding- wife appears as a doubtful syn- 

 onym of a Sparus radiatus, which is based on a specimen of H. bivittatus 

 sent by Dr. Garden from South Carolina. 



The Labrus brasiliensis of Bloch is a fairly good figure of the female 

 of this species, except that the coloration is made bright yellow and 

 orange, rather than olive and bronze. 



The Julis crotaphus of Cuvier is based solely on a reference to Parra's 

 Doncella, and must therefore be referred to this species, although the 

 fish subsequently described as Julis crotaphus by Valenciennes seems 

 to be H. Poeyi. The names cyanostigma, patatus, and principis are re- 

 garded by Goode as referring to different stages in the growth of this 

 species. This view seems to be correct, and we may add opalina also as 

 apparently the adult female. 



The specimens of this species examined by us are all adult (15 to 18 

 inches long) and are from Key West and Havana. 



42. HALICHCBRES NICHOLSI. 



Platyglossus nichoUi Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 231 (Braitbwaite 

 Bay, Socorro island) ; Jordan & Hughes, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 61. 



Habitat. — Islands of the .west coast of tropical America, Revilla- 

 Gigedos and Galapagos. 



Etymology : Named for Capt. Henry E. Nichols, U. S. Navy. 



This species was first described from a single specimen from Socorro 

 Island. A second and larger example, 13£ inches long, taken by the 

 Albatross at Charles Island in the Galapagos, shows the original color- 

 ation better than the type. This species is the Pacific representative of 

 Halicliceres radiatus. Other specimens have been since obtained at the 

 Eevilla-Gigedos by Dr. Gilbert. 



43. HALICHCERES SELLIFER. 



Halichceres sellifer Gilbert, Pboc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1890 (Clarion Island). 



Habitat. — Revilla-Gigedos Islands. 



Etymology: Sella, saddle ; fero, I bear. 



This handsome species is knowu from a single specimen 11 inches long, 

 taken by Dr. Gilbert at Clarion Island 



It is closely related to H. niclwlsi, differing chiefly in its red color, a 

 hue which is rare in the present genus. 



* Tbis name " pudding-wife " still used by the fishermen of tbe Florida Keys and tbe 

 Bahamas, seems to be a remarkable compound of tbe Portuguese " Pudiano " (from 

 pndor, modesty) tbe name of tbe brigbter colored Labroids in Brazil, and " old-wife" 

 or " Vieja," a name given to some of tbe Scaroid fishes in tbe West Indies and as "old- 

 wife " to tbe larger Labroids in Eugland. 



