218 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
erate, profile nearly straight, a slight concavity above eye; mouth not small, maxillary reaching middle 
of eye or beyond; teeth of upper jaw in an enlarged outer row, behind which is a band of very small 
teeth; lower jaw with a single series similar to outer row in upper jaw; snout with a few small pores, 
chin with 5 larger ones; edges of scales with fine striae, rows below lateral line bending slightly upward 
opposite origin of anal, most apparent in smaller individuals; lateral line curved, concurrent with 
outline of back, becoming straight on caudal peduncle; dorsal spines weak; soft parts of vertical fins 
densely scaled, a sheath of larger scales at their bases; caudal rounded, or double truncate. 
Color in spirits: Body nearly everywhere lustrous grayish-brown; about 8 longitudinal stripes of 
darker brown following rows of scales below lateral line; above lateral line are interrupted stripes and 
scattered spots of same color; fins all about color of body. 
Known only from Cuba and Porto Rico. Four specimens, 8 to 10 inches in length, were obtained 
by us at Puerto Real and Arroyo. 
Johnius batdbanus Poey, Memorias, TI, 184, 1860, Batabano, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquefia, 327, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 
and 163, 1883. 
Corvula batabcma, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 1430, 1898. 
Genus 98. BAIRDIELLA Gill. Mademoiselles. 
This genus is characterized by the oblique mouth, little cavernous skull, few rows of small teeth, 
slender gillrakers, and preopercle armed with a plectroid spine. It is certainly a very natural group, 
and worthy of recognition as a distinct genus, although its relationships with Ophio.scion and especially 
with Slellifer are very close. The numerous species are all American, all small in size and silvery in 
coloration, and some of them are remarkable for the great size of second anal spine. In others this 
spine is quite small. These variations among species unquestionably closely allied show how slight is 
the systematic value to be attached to the size of this spine. 
a. Teeth of lower jaw unequal, chiefly biserial; inner teeth more or less enlarged; preorbital narrow. 
b. Second anal spine moderate, 2.33 in head, not so long as soft rays, not reaching tip of last ray when depressed. 
Color, silvery, punctate; fins yellow; depth 3 in length. D. x-i, 22; A. ii, 10 chrysura 
bb Second anal spine very long, two-thirds length of head, reaching beyond tip of last ray; base of anal oblique, 
forming an angle with ventral outline. 
c. Mouth not quite terminal; preorbital narrow; dorsal rays x-l, 23; dorsal spines stiff, lower, highest 2 in head; 
second anal spine 1.4; pectorals 1.6. Color, soiled silvery; depth 3.14 ronchus, 174 
174. Bairdiella ronchus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Ronco; Ground Drummer. 
Head 3.1; depth 3.2; eye 4.6; snout 4.1; maxillary 2.5; mandible 2.1; interorbital 4.5; preorbital 
9.3; D. x-i, 24; A. ii, 8; pectoral 1.6; ventral 1.5; caudal 1.5; scales 7-50-8. Body oblong and com- 
pressed, anterior profile straight and rather steep; ventral outline straight from chin to origin of anal; 
base of anal very oblique, forming a strong angle in ventral outline; caudal peduncle long, compressed; 
head small, snout, rather pointed, a little longer than eye; mouth nearly horizontal, maxillary reaching 
past middle of eye (in individual of 4.25 inches nearly to posterior border of orbit), lower jaw included; 
teeth in upper jaw villiform, in a very narrow band, outside of which is a row of much larger teeth; 
in lower jaw a band of villiform teeth with a somewhat enlarged inner row; preopercle with strong 
serrations, largest at angle, lowermost being the downward-pointing plectroid spine characteristic of 
Bairdiella; dorsal spines moderately strong, sharp, fourth highest, 2 in head; first anal spine reduced, 
second very long and strong, reaching tips of first, rays and beyond all the other rays, 1.6 in head; 
ventrals nearly to vent; caudal truncate. 
Color in spirits: Dirty-grayish, darker above, paler below; some dark punctulations on lower part 
of side scattered along from snout to base of lower lobe of caudal ; faint dark streaks along longitudinal 
and oblique rows of scales; paired fins pale; edge of soft dorsal, spinous dorsal, caudal, and part of 
anal dusky, with dark dots. 
Found on Atlantic coast of tropical America; generally common in the "West Indies and on the 
coast of Brazil; recorded from Jamaica, Cuba, Maracaibo, Surinam, and obtained by us at San Juan 
and Mayaguez, Porto Rico. Though not exceeding 8 or 10 inches in length, this is a good food-fish. 
Corvina ronchus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 107, 1830, Maracaibo and Surinam. 
Bairdiella ronchus , Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1436, 1898; Poey, Fauna Puerto- Riquena, 326, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 
163, 1883. 
