FISHES OF HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
699 
vertically incised in its lower fourth; nostrils closely contiguous, the anterior in a short tube, the 
posterior somewhat larger, with a slightly raised rim, which is elevated to form a short flap posteriorly; 
premaxillary teeth in a very narrow band, which tapers laterally to a point, and is confined to anterior 
three-fifths of bone; mandibular band also very narrow, of. not more than 2 irregular series mesially, 
widening a little laterally and almost reaching buccal angle; vomer, palatines, and tongue without 
teeth; anterior gill-arch without filaments. 
Bones firmer and integuments thicker than in D. erythrinus; upper surface of head, trunk, and tail 
thickly beset with sharp spines of nearly uniform size, which arise each from a conical base bearing 4 
to 6, usually 5, strong radiating ridges, which give a strikingly stellate appearance viewed from above; 
spines simple, except on margins of disk and along side of tail, where they are variously divided, and 
bear from 2 to 5 points; those on dorsal surface of tail mostly bifid, with one point much longer than 
the others; preopercular spines directed outward and only slightly backward., each bearing a terminal 
rosette of spines; rostral spine similar but slenderer; spines accompanying lateral line thicker but not 
longer than the others; plates and spines on lower surface of disk and tail similar to those above, but 
smaller; dorsal surface of tail with a few very small spinous tubercles, which also form series on caudal 
rays; iris surrounded by a ring of small spines, a number of scattered ones outside this ring. Lateral 
line running in a shallow groove; each papilla is inclosed between 2 flaps, with narrow bases and 
fimbriate margins, the flaps flanked by a pair of spines; 3 accessory papillae of the mandibular series, 
as in D. erythrinus, placed on anterior margin of groove opposite interval between first and second, 
fourth and fifth, and between fifth and sixth papillae of the regular series. 
Distance from base of caudal to origin of dorsal half the distance from latter to front of orbit; 
when declined, the dorsal' extends .6 the distance from its origin to base of caudal; base of dorsal .125 
length of head; origin of anal fin slightly nearer vent than base of caudal; pectoral fin reaching base 
of subopercular spine, the short ventrals reaching but half-way to its tip. 
Color, light olive-brown above, white below; 2 small black spots behind each eye, a second pair 
on each side the middle of disk, and a third pair above and in front of each gill-opening; a vertical dark 
shade immediately behind dorsal fin; a faint dark bar on terminal portion of dorsal and one on 
caudal; lining membranes of buccal, branchial, and abdominal cavities all white; lure unmarked. 
Only one specimen taken. 
