THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 
325 
Color, dark-brown, with many rings and spots of light-gray and blackish, some of the dark rings 
with a black central spot; a diffuse dusky blotch on lateral line above pectoral and one near base of 
caudal peduncle; fins with numerous inky spots and dark markings; blind side pale. 
Fifteen specimens from Mayaguez appear to differ somewhat in general appearance from other 
specimens which can be referred to this species, but measurements and comparison reveal no really 
tangible constant differences. The largest, 163 millimeters long, presents the following charac- 
ters: Head 3.9; depth 1.33; eye 4.5; snout 4.8; maxillary 2.4; interorbital 8; pectoral 1.3; D. 88; A. 68; 
scales 59 (68). Color, plain-brown, with a few faint or obscure grayish ocelli and darker spots; a faint 
brown blotch under end of pectoral, 1 on middle of straight line and 1 near base of caudal peduncle. 
All fins with light-brown crossbars. 
For comparison measurements of an undoubted 8. micrurum of similar size are given: Head 3.75; 
depth 2.4; eye 5.33; snout 4.8; maxillary 2.6; interorbital 16; pectoral 1.4; D. 88; A. 70; scales 59 (65). 
West Indian fauna, Key West to Rio Janeiro, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and Bahia, rather common; 
the Porto Rican examples are from Mayaguez, Ponce, Hucares, Aguadilla, Culebra, Boqueron, Palo 
Seco, and stations 6059 and 6061. 
Syacium micrurum Ranzani, Nov. Spec. Pise. Diss., Sec., 20, pi. 5, 1810, Brazil; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2672, 1898. 
Ilippoglossus ocettatus Poey, Memorias, II, 314, 1860, Cuba. 
Hemirhombus aramaca Giinther, Cat., IV, 42, 1862, Cuba and Jamaica. 
Citharichthys xtliaMon Jordan, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1886, 52, Havana. 
Genus 157. CITHARICHTHYS Bleeker. Whiffs. 
Eyes and color on left side. Body oblong; mouth of the large type, but comparatively small, 
with 1 series of small, sharp teeth in each jaw; no teeth on vomer or palatines. Gillrakers moderate, 
slender. Dorsal fin beginning just in front of eye; all fin rays simple; ventrals of colored side on ridge 
of abdomen; no anal spine; caudal fin convex or double truncate behind, none of the fins produced. 
Scales thin, deciduous, slightly ctenoid. Lateral line nearly straight, simple. Lower pharyngeals 
separate, each with a single row of teeth. Vertebra; 30 to 40. 
This genus includes small flounders of weak organization, especially characteristic of sandy 
shores of tropical America. The sub-genus Orlhopseilct includes species of more northern range and 
somewhat different form, and especially noteworthy as having an increased number of vertebra?. The 
two groups intergrade so perfectly that no sharp line of division can be drawn between them. 
The genus Citharichthys contains 13 American species, 7 of which are Atlantic. Only 3 of these 
are known to occur in Porto Rico. 
a. Vertebrae 33 to 36; interorbital ridge low and narrow, head closely compressed. 
b. Eye large, 3 to 4.5 in head. 
c. Head large, 3 to 3.33 in length. 
d. Interorbital space very narrow, 5 in eye; snout with a spine; pectoral of eyed side elongate, one-third longer than 
head; maxillary 2.25 in head. D. 91; A. 73; scales 48 dinoceros 
cc. Head smaller, about 4 in length. 
e. Body comparatively elongate, depth about 2.5 in length; mouth very small; maxillary 3.5 in head; dorsal rays 83; 
anal 67; scales 40; eye 4 in head arctifrons 
ee. Body comparatively broad, depth about half the length; mouth larger. 
/. Snout with a strong, sharp spine on eyed side, above upper lip; eye large, '2.3 to 3 in head; greatest depth of body 
over pectorals; interorbital space with a wide ridge, about half diameter of eye unicornis, 277 
ff. Snout without distinct spine: eye moderate, 3.5 to 4.5 in head; greatest depth of body under middle of dorsal; 
interorbital space a narrow, scaly ridge with a slight median groove; maxillary 2.33 in head; teeth small, those 
in front slightly enlarged; body not very thin; gillrakers moderate, 6+13. 
g. Dorsal rays 68; anal 52; scales smaller, lateral line with about 53 pores; side with whitish blotches ulilcri 
gg. Dorsal rays 80; anal 56; scales large, 41 in lateral line; side and fins with dark blotches macrops 
bb. Eye quite small, 5 to 8 in head; snout short, forming an angle with profile; mouth moderate, oblique, maxillary 
2.5 to 2.66 in head; teeth small, anterior somewhat enlarged; dorsal about 80; anal 60; body and fins speckled. 
h. Scales not very large, 45 to 51 in lateral line; gillrakers long and slender, longer than pupil. 
i. Eye small, about 8 in head spilopterus , 278 
ii. Eye larger, about 6 in head arenaceus , 279 
277. Citharichthys unicornis Goode. 
Head 4.5; depth 2.33; eye 2.33; snout 4; maxillary 2.33; pectoral 1.55; D. 77; A. 60; scales 42. 
Body ovoidal, not particularly deep, but strongly compressed; head broad across front; mouth mod- 
erate; no spines, but a knob at symphysis of lower jaw; eye large; interorbital a narrow ridge dividing 
