232 
BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
I n the larger specimens! there are 2 types of coloration ; type A has more or less distinct vertical bars, 
alternating light and dark; the lateral and caudal spots are distinct, the dark crossbars are darkest in 
a line between the two; a dark streak extends from the eye to second dark bar, this with the darker 
areas on the crossbands forming an interrupted lateral band; cheeks unspotted, operclesand mandible 
with dark spots; ventral surface plain; a few scattered spots along the sides; vertical fins more or less 
spotted at the base. Type 15 shows no crossbands, each scale of the side with a dark spot forming longi- 
tudinal series; cheeks as well as opercles and mandible spotted or the spots -confluent into lengthwise 
streaks; vertical fins more conspicuously spotted; cheeks in the young of both types unspotted; sides 
of the young of type B less regularly spotted than in the adult. Figs. 11 and 12 are drawn from males, 
of the same size and with reproductive organs in the same stage of development. Fig. 12, type B, 
evidently represents the variety figured by Boev, and is the original tetracanthus. Fig. 1 1 , representing 
type A, may be termed II. tetracanthus torralbasi Eigenmann, var. nov. (No. 9672, Ind. Univ. Mus. ). 
(78 specimens, 44 to 160 mm. long, from San Cristobal. ) 
Most of these were taken out of a muddy lagoon near the river, and all were very pale in color, the 
crossbars showing well. In these paler specimens there are no indications of a longitudinal stripe. 
The largest, which also came out of the lagoon, is nearly uniform light ashy, there being but faint indi- 
cation of crossbars and spots; there are faint spots on fins and opercle. Other smaller specimens are 
everywhere profusely spotted. In the darker specimens from the river there is a dark lateral band. 
Fig. 14. Ileroa tetracanthus ejriseus Eigenmann, new subspecies 
(70 specimens, 47 to 190 mm. long:, from Los Palacios.) 
These specimens are of types A and B from Calabazar, with some distinct features. The dark spots 
(of B) along the rows of scales are, in some of the lighter individuals, nearly faded out; in the darkest 
ones they spread nearly over entire margin of scales (fig. 13). The cheeks are spotted or streaked in some 
of the largest specimens and not in others. The lateral band in some specimens of Type A is as well 
developed as in some San Antonio specimens; vertical bars vary also very much in intensity. One 
dark specimen resembles in almost all respects lleros griseus from San Antonio. Depth, 2.25 to 2.5. 
(17 specimens, 62 to 155 mm. long, from Pinar del Rio, are of A and B from Calabazar.) 
(4 specimens, 65 to 240 mm. long, from Sumidero.) 
All these specimens are dark, the smaller one nearly uniform, with but faint crossbars; lateral 
and caudal spots distinct. The largest one is a male, very dark above, without distinct markings, and 
with black streaks and spots on cheeks, opercles, and lower sides. Depth 2; head 2.6; eye 5 in head. 
These may referred to tetracanthus. 
