helonging to the Genus Trisotrqpis. 



307 



Trisotropis camelop arda lis. 



Serranus camelopardalis, Poey, Mem. ii. 132 ; Syn. 283. 



This species, like the T. cardinalis in shallow water, has the 

 upper parts of the body of a more or less bright red, according 

 to the depth it inhabits. It has been observed that, contrary to 

 the usual rule in the seas of Cuba, the deeper this fish is found, 

 the brighter are its colors. The lower parts are duller. Eight 

 palé brownish violet bands fall from the back towards the mid- 

 dle of the body ; one on the nape, four under the spiny dorsal, 

 and three under the soft dorsal. The sides and the abdomen 

 have round spots of a brownish red on a violet ground. Pecto- 

 rals dirty red. 



Preopercle rounded. This fish becomes large ; the one de- 

 scribed is 510 mm * long, and its fin ray formula is D. XI. 16, 

 A. III. 10, according to my drawing; which, however, would be 

 exceptional, as regards the anal, for the normal number in the 

 genus is III. 10> 



Trisotropis tigris* 



/Serranus tigris, Val., Poiss. ix. 440. 

 " felinus, Poey, Mem. ii. 134. 

 " rivulatus, Poey, Mem. ii. 135. 

 11 repandus, Poey, Mem. ii. 135. 

 Yide Poey, Repert. ii. 155 ; Synopsis, 283. 

 This fish difFers chiefly from the preceding one by the total 

 absence of the red color, but it has the vertical bands and the 

 ventral spots, which is the reason that it is also commonly known 

 as Bonaci gato. The violet brown is therefore the general 

 ground color of the body. Pectorals reddish brown, with an 

 orange border. I have seen several á foot long, the one 

 described being a foot and a half. Yalenciennes' specimen was 

 from St. Domingo. 



Trisotropis calliuriis. 

 Mycteroperca calliurus (lege calliura\ Poey, Repert. i. 181, 

 409; Syn. 286. 



