PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 177 



to twice the second anal spine, and about three times that of the first 

 dorsal spiue. The first dorsal ray is twice as long as the first dorsal 

 spine, its longest ray nearly equal to the first ray of the anal. 



Distance of anal fin from suout equal to two-thirds of total length 

 (caudal excluded), twice as far from snout as is the pectoral; the length 

 of its base slightly more than that of mandible ; its first spine half as 

 long as its second spine ; its third spine slenderer, and slightly longer 

 thau the second ; its first ray is about twice as long as its second spine ; 

 its longest ray equal to middle caudal ray, or, in young specimens, much 

 longer ; its last ray half the length of the first. 



Caudal much emarginate, crescent-shaped ; the median rays two- 

 thirds as long as the external rays. 



Pectoral midway between snout and anal; its length twice that of the 

 maxillary. Distance of ventral from snout equal to the height of the 

 body; its length three times that of second anal spine. 



Radial Formula. — B. VII; D. X, 14; A. Ill, 9 ; G. + 17 + ; P. 1, 16 ; 

 V. I, 5. 



Scales. — 8, 50, 15. Scales extending half the length of the anal rays 

 on the membrane; on the external caudal rays nearly to tip, and with 

 slight traces upon the spinous dorsal in front of the spines ; and in the 

 soft dorsal somewhat more extended. 



Color. — Uniform scarlet. Centre of scales lighter, also belly, which is 

 silvered; inside of axil of pectoral darker maroou. 



This species is closely allied to the Lutjanus torridus of Cope, but dif- 

 fers in several particulars, notably (1) the smaller eye; (2) the greater 

 number of dorsal and anal rays; (3) the smaller and more numerous 

 scales; (4) the less emarginatiou of the tail ; (5) the shorter ventral fin 

 (according to figure of Cope); (6) the higher occipital crest ; and (7) in 

 coloration. 



Professor Cope's type measured 14 inches ; ours range from 33 to 17£. 



Lingual teeth in two patches ; the anterior cordate, with emargina- 

 tiou posteriorly ; the other ovate-lanceolate, broadest anteriorly. Vom- 

 erine patch a quadilateral figure, with concave sides, and with the 

 longest sides posteriorly. Palatine patches somewhat spatulate, broadest? 

 posteriorly. 



Proc. Nat. Mus. 78 12 Oct- 4, A878. 



