140 
ZOOLOGICAL LITlDRATUllE. 
Nomeidce 1, Bcomh'idce 20, Malacanthidce 1, TrachinidcB 5, Ba^ 
t 7 'achidm\t Pediciilatid, Cataphracti^, Gohiidcc^Y, Blenniidce 11, 
SphyrcenidcE 3, Atherinidce 2, Mugilidce 4, Fistularidce 3, Gobieso- 
cidcB 3, Ti'achypteridce 1, Pomacentrida 13, Labridce 51, Gei'~ 
ridce 3, Chromides 1, Gadidae 1, Ophidiidce 4, Pleuronectidce 12, 
Bcopelid(e 7, StomiatidcB 1, Scombresocidce 16, C\jprinodontul (2 10, 
Clupeidoi 13, Symbranchidce 1, Murmiidce 28, Plcctogmthi 31, 
LophohrancMi 4, Ganoidei 1, Elasmobranchii 29. Forty-four 
species are described for the first time in this synopsis, and 
they, with others, will be referred to in the special part. Prof. 
Poey has most successfully studied the fishes of his country 
for many years, in spite of the great obstacles in his way, 
in consequence of his limited access to the literature and his 
distance from every other collection; thus, in numerous in- 
stances, he has been obliged to be satisfied with second-hand 
information, and to rely chiefly upon descriptions for the deter- 
mination of his species. The zoologieal literature of the last 
ten years amply shows that naturalists working with this ma- 
terial alone fall constantly into errors. If they have a very 
detailed description, they believe they find so many discrepancies 
with their specimens, that they cannot regard them 'as identical ; 
or if the description is limited to a few important characters, it 
is stigmatized as insufficient ; nor can they understand the pro- 
priety of conclusions arrived at by those who have numerous 
examples of a species from various localities, or series of the 
most varied types. Therefore the results of a naturalist limit- 
ing himself to a fauna and one studying the entire class will be 
very different. With regard to Prof. Poey^s works, we cannot 
help regretting his recent tendency to break up very natural 
groups into innumerable genera; but, on the other hand, avc 
must admire the energy with which he has prosecuted zoological 
studies, and raised himself far above every other author on 
natural history who has written in the Spanish language ; and 
we hope that he will soon fulfil his promise and complete his 
Work on Cuban Fishes.*''’ 
The critical remarks and additions in this Synopsis are so 
numerous that the Pecorder is obliged to limit his notes in the 
special part of this Record to the more important points, as in 
other equally extensive publications. No one who studies West- 
Indian Ichthyology can dispense Avitli this most valuable con- 
tribution. 
On legislature in the Ilavannah regarding the sale of poi- 
sonous or suspected fishes, see a paper by Poey, Hep. Fis.-nat. 
(ie Cuba, ii. 1867, pp. 57-69. Of local interest. 
Trinidad. Dr. Giintlier describes three Cyprinodonts from this island,— 
Anahlepa tctrophthahmis^ Itividus micropus, and Oirardinus yuppH, Ihoc. 
8ci. Assoc. Trinidad, 1808, pp. 224-227. 
