REVIEW OF THE SEREANIH^. 
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2. RYPTICUS NIGRIPINNIS. 
Rhypticus nigripinnis Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1861, 53 (Panama); Jordan and Gilbert, Proc. U. 
S. Nat. Mns., 1882, 359 (Cape San Lucas) ; Jordan and Gilbert, op. cit., 375 (Panama) ; Jordan 
and Gilbert, op. cit., 381 (Panama); Jordan and Gilbert, op. cit., 110 (Panama) ; Jordan, Proc. 
U. S. Nat. Mns., 1885, 378 (Cape San Lucas, Panama); Jordan, Cat. Fishes of N. A., 86, 1885; 
Jordan, Proc, U. S. Nat. Mns., 1889, 180 (Panama). 
Rhypticus maciilatiis Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci., Phil., 1862, 251 (Cape San Lucas) (not of Holbrook). 
Promicropterus decoratus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1863, 164 (Panama). 
Rhypticus decoratus Gunther, Fishes Cen. Am., 412, 1869 (Panama). 
Habitat . — Pacific coast of tropical America, Cape San Lucas to Panama. 
Etymology. — Niger., black ; pinna, fin. 
We have examined numerous specimens of this species, including the original types 
of nigripinnis, maculatus, and decoratus. There is no doubt whatever of the identity 
of these three. Rh maculatus Gill is said to have three dorsal spines, but this is an 
error, the first (broken) soft ray on the type having been counted as a spine. We have 
compared B. nigripinnis with B. bistrispimis, and find the two different, although very 
nearly related. 
The chief distinctions are to be drawn from the slenderer body of B. nigripinnis, 
and from the presence of three distinct opercular spines, there being usually but two 
in B. bistrispinus, although the original meaning of the specific name of the latter 
implies the presence of three. 
Our description is drawn from i^o. 29377, U. S. National Museum, taken by Pro- 
fessor Gilbert at Panama. 
3. RYPTICUS XANTE 
Rhypticus xanti Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1862, 250 (Cape San Lucas) ; Jordan and Gilbert, Proc. 
U. S. Nat. Mns., 1882, 359 (Cape San Lucas) ; Jordan and Gilbert, op. cit., 371 (Colima) ; 
Jordan and Gilbert, op. cit., 106 (Mazatlan) ; Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1885, 377 (Cape 
San Lucas). 
Safe Pacific coast of Mexico. 
Etymology . — Named for John Xaiitus, the discoverer of the species. 
This species differs from B. saponaceus of the Atlantic chiefly in the armature of 
the head. We have examined the original type, and also specimens from Colima and 
Mazatlan. Our description is drawn from No. 7740, U. S. Nat. Mns., collected by Mr. 
John Xantus, at Colima. 
4. RYPTICUS BICOLOR. 
Smecticus ticolor Valenciennes, Voyage de la Venus, Poissons, 307, Pi. ii, f. 2, 1855 (Galapagos Archip.). 
Rhypticus hicolor Giintber, I, 173, 1859 (copied). 
Habitat. — Galapagos Archipelago. 
Etymology. — Bicolor, two colored. 
This species is known from the description and figure given by Valenciennes. The 
description speaks of ten dorsal and two anal spines, but it is evident from the figure 
that this is an ordinary Bypticus, the short or rudimentary rays of the dorsal and anal 
having been taken by Valenciennes for spines. The red coloration, as shown on the 
figure, is exceptional in this genus, and its correctness may be doubted. It is not un- 
