FIS?IES OF COZUMEL, YUCATAN. 
197 
half the greatest height of the body. The origin of the dorsal is about over that of 
the pectoral. The base of the dorsal is exactly twice as long as that of the anal. The 
dorsal spines are about equal in size, the fourth spine equals one-third the greatest 
height of the body, and is contained three times in the distance from the tip of the 
upper lip to the origin of the dorsal. The length of the pectoral is about one-lifth of 
the total length to the end of the middle caudal rays. The ventral is a little more 
than one-half as long as the head. 
D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; P. 14; V. 1,5. Scales 2-25-7. The lateral line interrupted 
under the end of the soft dorsal, eighteen scales being pierced before the interruption. 
Colors of the alcoholic specimen : Spiuous dorsal with a narrow, dark margin ; soft 
dorsal with a broad, dusky margin, the rest of the tin lighter. Anal light at base, a 
faint, dusky band covering about the outer two- thirds of the fin. Pectoral and ventral 
pale. Caudal, light at base, aud with several broad, light areas, extending out on the 
rays, the major iiortiou of the fin, however, is very dark. General color dusky oliva- 
ceous, mauy of the scales having a rosy blotch at the base. Operculum with a few 
irregular blotches of blue. Iris yellowish. Sclerotic very dark. 
The species is called cuzamilce in allusion to the ancient name of the island from 
which it came. 
Scams acutus Poey. Poey, Mem., ii, 216,217. Common name Loro. 
The individual which I describe is 310 millimeters long. The tip of the muzzle is 
rouuded, but the head is prolonged and attenuated towards its anterior extremity, the 
superior line of its profile being nearly straight, a little depressed above the nostrils; 
the curve of the throat, as far as the mandible, is, on the contrary, well pronounced. 
The cleft of the mouth is horizontal; the mandible is slightly included, and the teeth 
are naked, regularly arranged in quincunx order, on a smooth and polished surface; 
the cutting-edge has no inequalities. The nostrils have two orifices, very small and 
very close together, distant from the eye one of its diameters. The pores of the head 
are not numerous. The height of the body is contained three and one-half times in its 
total length ; it equals the length of the head, which contains the eye seven times ; the 
eye is situated in the middle of the length of the head at the first quarter of its height. 
The fins are situated as usual; the unarticulated rays are not sharp ; their extremities 
bend to form fringes on the margin of the dorsal and the anal; the caudal is straight 
in the middle, but its angles are slightly produced, 
D. 9, 10; A. 2, 9 ; P. 15. The scales are large, much higher than long on the cheek; 
there are none on the head in front of the eye; there is a series supporting the base of 
the dorsal. The lateral line is interrupted; the scales which form it have only a longi- 
tudinal tube, which sends two branches upward. There are twenty-four scales from 
the shoulder to the caudal; they are not ciliated. 
The head is olivaceous above, violaceous on the sides, rosy below and on the 
throat. A small oblique space in front of the eyes is clearer without forming a broken 
band. There are two deep blue bauds above the upper teeth and two of carmine 
under the lower teeth. The iris is reddish-brown. The back is violaceous, the belly 
also, but i^aler. A large whitish band traverses the sides from the base of the pecto- 
ral to the tail. The dorsal is obscurely violaceous; the caudal deep reddish-brown; 
the other fins are rosy. — 373. 
This translation of Poey’s description is introduced here for comparison with the 
preceding species. 
