THE EISHES OE PORTO RICO. 
141 
small, cycloid, silvery, loosely inserted, extending on vertical fins. Opercular bones entire. Gill- 
membranes separate, free from isthmus; gillrakers moderate. Lateral line continuous, concurrent 
with back. Dorsal fin long, more or less elevated in front, preceded by a few indistinct spines; 
usually one or more procumbent spines in front of dorsal and anal, each of these with a free point both 
anteriorly and posteriorly; anal fin similar to dorsal, or shorter, usually with three small spines; 
ventral fins wanting; a single small, sharp spine, attached to pubic bone, occupying the place of the 
ventrals; peetorals long and narrow; caudal widely forked. 
There are but few species of this genus, mostly American. Peprilus differs from Slrornateus chiefly 
in the prominence of the pelvic bone, which projects in a lamina beyond the skin. Species of Stromateus 
occur in Europe and South America, but none within our limits. 
Only one of the two recognized species is known from Porto Rico. 
a. Dorsal rays m, 43 paru, 99 
aa. Dorsal rays about m, 39 xanthurus 
Fig. 39 .— Peprilus paru. 
99. Peprilus paru (Linnaeus). “Pcilometa”; Ilarvest-fisli; Puppy-fish. 
Head 3.6; depth 1.5; eye 3; snout 4.7; maxillary 3.5; mandible 3; interorbital 2.5; D. in, 42; 
A. ii, 39; pectoral and caudal 2.5 in body; scales about 90. 
Body nearly circular in outline, strongly compressed, with a very short and slender caudal 
peduncle; head small, not at all pointed, its anterior outline scarcely breaking the nearly even curve 
from above and below; mouth very small, oblicpie, lower jaw not projecting, maxillary reaching front 
of eye; teeth in jaws small and weak, uniserial; lateral line unarmed; dorsal and anal fins falcate, 
their anterior rays much produced, those of anal reaching base of caudal or beyond, those of dorsal 
shorter, reaching middle of fin when depressed; caudal lobes long, equal, the tin well forked; ventrals 
wanting, a small spine similar to anal spines in their place; scales somewhat deciduous. 
Color in life: Pale-blue above, silvery on sides and below, rich bluish or purplish iridescence 
everywhere; inside of mouth and tongue inky-black, the jaws pale. 
Atlantic coast of United States from Massachusetts south to Jamaica, Porto Rico, and Brazil. 
