224 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
pointed, spoon-shaped, free along the sides and for a distance at tip greater than orbit; fins large; 
origin of dorsal from tip of snout about equaling length of head; dorsal spines strong, fourth and fifth 
longest, 2.6 in head; last dorsal spine slightly longer than snout, soft portion of dorsal somewhat ele- 
vated, rounded, the longest rays equaling snout, and eye; caudal slightly rounded, the rays L9 in 
head; first anal spine short, second strong, third longest, about equaling snout; soft portion of anal 
rounded, the longest ray 2.25 in head; ventrals scarcely reaching vent, 1.9 in head; pectoral broad, 
rounded, fan-shaped, about reaching vertical at vent, length of fin 1.75 in head; scales very small, 
and finely ctenoid; lateral line following curve of back, pores small; nape, opercles, and cheek 
densely covered with fine scales, anterior portion of interorbital and snout naked. 
Color in life, nearly uniform dark-purplish brown, the fins darker on distal portions, the belly also 
darker; a dark shade above inaxillary; irregular pearly white spots on side, arranged partly in vertical 
rows, the largest less than pupil, the smallest mere dots; head, nape, and whole dorsal fin more or less 
spotted; caudal broadly, soft dorsal and anal narrowly, edged with whitish; ventrals black; pectorals 
plain brown. In old examples the white spots become diffuse and disappear, the body becoming 
leather color, with paler blotches. 
Color in alcohol, rich dark brown on head and body, sparsely covered with bluish white spots 
and specks; similar spots on spinous dorsal; anal and spinous dorsal narrowly edged with dirty white; 
caudal darkest distally, with a broad, pale border; ventrals blue-black; pectoral smoky, paler on distal 
portion. 
This species is rather scarce in the Hawaiian markets, where very large examples, 2 to 3 feet long, 
are occasionally seen. Our cod lection contains 4 specimens, none of them full grown, from one of 
which — No. 03381, 15.1 inches long— our life-color notes were made. This was obtained in the Hono- 
lulu market June 16, 1901, at which time 2 other specimens were obtained by us. We have 1 from 
Kailua, and there are 2 specimens in the collection of Dr. Jenkins obtained by Dr. Wood in 1898. 
The single specimen obtained by Mr. Alvin Seale, and upon which his description of the species is 
based, was secured by him August 9, 1901. The species was also obtained by the Albatross at 
Honolulu. Our specimens range in length from 3.75 to 16.5 inches. 
There is a specimen of Epiaephelus in the Philadelphia Academy (No. 13463, Coll. Dr. J. K. 
Townsend) that is probably this species. It was wrongly identified with E. fuscogultatus (Forskal) by 
Mr. Fowler. 
