[57] REVIEW OF THE LABROID FISHES. 



G55 



agreement is, as Poey has noticed, very close in all respects, except that 

 implied in the remark of Valenciennes that the " spinous dorsal is low 

 and scaly " (" basse et couverte d'ecailles"). This expression doubtless 

 refers to the scaly sheath of the fin. 



64. THALASSOMA GRAMMATICUM. 



Thalassoma grammaticum Gilbert, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1890, (Socorro Island; Clarion 

 Island). 



Habitat. — Revilla-Gigedos Islands. 



Etymology : rpat±[xa.Tw6q— streaked. 



This species is known from a single specimen llh, inches long, taken by 

 Dr. Gilbert at Clarion Island, and from numerous examples taken at 

 Socorro Island. 



65. THALASSOMA VIRENS. 



Thalassoma vircns Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mas., 1890 (Socorro Island). 



Habitat. — Eevilla-Gigedos Islands. 



Etymology: Virens, green. 



This species, remarkable for its uniform coloration, was found by Dr. 

 Gilbert very abundant at Socorro Island, the largest specimen being 13 

 inches long. 



Genus XX.— DOKATONOTUS. 



Doratonotus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iv, 124, 1862 (megalepis). 

 Type : Doratonotus megalepis Giiuther. 

 Etymology ; A6ph, spear ; \>6roq, back. 



This genus contains a single species of small fishes found in the West 

 Indies. It is one of the most beautiful of the Labridcv, and the genus 

 to which it belongs is one of the best defined in the group. 



ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OP DORATONOTUS. 



a. Body much compressed ; snout rather slender and sharp ; its length, 31- in head ; 

 maxillary, 4 in head ; eye, 5 in head ; cheeks and opercles scaly ; dorsal 

 spines robust and pungent, the first three with conspicuous filaments ; first 

 and second spines, including filaments, nearly equal in length, 1^ in head ; 

 fourth spine shortest, half second ; ninth highest, but somewhat shorter than 

 the following soft rays ; longest soft ray, If in head; anal spines stoutish, 

 the longest about half head ; pectorals reaching beyond ventrals ; membranes 

 of vertical fins with scales on bases ; lateral line following outline of back to 

 one scale beyond end of dorsal fin, then interrupted and continued below on 

 four scales of caudal peduncle. Color, everywhere intense grass-green ; head 

 yellowish, some orange on tips of shorter spines and on ventrals ; head, 2'i in 

 length; depth, 2f ; D., IX, 10; A., 111,9; scales, H-20 (pores)-6£. 



Megalepis, GG. 

 66. DORATONOTUS MEGALEPIS. 



Doratonotus megalepis Giinther, iv, 125, 1862 (St. Christopher). 



Doratonotus thalassinus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 29 (Key West). 



Habitat. — West Iudian fauna, north to Key West. 



Etymology: Meyds, great; Xeirk, scale. 



Of this exquisite little fish only five specimens are known : (1) the 



