348 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
graphical distribution, the species of Plectropoma and of its allies with few dorsal 
spines, Gilbertia and Alphestes, belonging to tropical waters, while Acanthistius is char- 
acteristic of the south temperate zone. Our species of Acanthistius differ from the 
type of the genus in the presence of lateral canines, which are undeveloped in Acan- 
thistins serratus. Less closely allied to Plectropoma are Gonioplectrus and Eemilutjanus 
while HypoplectruSj usually associated with these, is a genuine ally of tSerranus^ having 
little except its plectroid armature in common with these grouper-like fishes. 
ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN SPECIES OF ACANTHISTIUS. 
а. Sides of lower jaw with small caiiiues. 
б. Body very short and deep, the depth 2-J- in length ; preopercular spines moderate, 3 on lower limb ; color 
plain dark brown or with paler cross shades ; back elevated ; anterior jiroiile steep and straight ; 
jaws snbeqnal; month moderate, the maxillary reaching posterior border of eye, 2 in head ; snout 
4^ in head; eye 4! ; preorbital narrow ; iuterorbital space narrow, transversely convex; teeth 
small, about as in Epinephelm] canines small; lateral canines of lower jaw as large as upper 
anterior canines, and larger than anterior canines of lower jaw ; nostrils small, round, not close 
together; preopercle rounded with moderate seme above, these increasing in size downward; 
three seme turned downward and forward on lower limb, besides two near angle also turned 
downward; opercular spines small ; scales larger and rougher than in patachoiiioiis •, gill-rakers 
moderate, slender, x-j-14 ; lateral line normal in direction; dorsal spiues rather slender, the 
longest 2| in head ; dorsal deeply notched, the soft rays low ; caudal peduncle short, compressed ; 
caudal rounded ; anal rounded, short and high, the second spine strongest, 2f in head ; pectoral 
rather long, 1| in head. Color brown, nearly plain ; fins dusky ; young with paler cross-bands. 
Head 2f in length; depth, 2j; D. XIII, 15; A. Ill, 8; scales 60 (pores), 86 in a longitudinal 
series Brasilianus, 16. 
hh. Body less deep ; the depth 2f in length ; preopercular spiues very strong, 2 on lower limb ; color 
brown, covered with darker reticulations. Body short and deep, the back elevated, the profile 
straight and rather steep; preorbital and teeth essentially as in A. brasilianus •, jaws subequal; 
maxillary broad, scaleless, with well-developed supplemental bone; maxillary reaching pos- 
terior edge of pupil, 2^ in head ; eye large, dj- in head ; snout short, 4|; nostrils round, the pos- 
terior rather the larger; preopercle strongly and sharply serrate above, the teeth larger below; 
a strong tooth downward and backward at angle, with two strong autrorse hooks before it; 
opercular spines small, but distinct; gill-rakers long and slender, in ej'e, x-|-13 in number. 
Scales small, roughish ; lateral line normal in direction; scales below lateral line larger than 
those above; dorsal and anal fins low; longest dorsal spine, 2^ in head; second anal spine 2f ; 
fourth soft ray of anal longest, in head ; caudal truncate, its peduncle moderate, compressed ; 
pectoral rather long. If in head. Color brown, the body covered with a network of dark lines, 
which form sharply defined reticulations or vermiculations everywhere; these extending on 
scaly part of soft dorsal and anal, but not on head or on other fins ; fins mostly dusky ; young 
with about 4 dark cross-bars. Head 2^ in length ; depth 2f. U. XIII, 15; A. Ill, 7 or 8; scales, 68 
(pores) (the number in a longitudinal series above lateral line nearly 100 ). . .Patachonicus, 17. 
16. ACANTHISTIUS BRASILIANUS. 
Plectropoma brasilianum Cuv. and Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss. II, 1828, 397 (Brazil) : Gunther, 1, 164 (copied). 
Plectropoma aculeatum Cuv. and Val., VI, 523, 1830 (Banc des Aiguilles). (Gunther, I, 163 (copied). 
Habitat . — Coast of Brazil. 
Etymology . — Brasilianus.^ Brazilian. 
The specimens of this species examined by us (4830 M. O. Z.) were collected at 
Rio de Janeiro by Dr. Steindachner. The short description of Plectropoma aculeatum., 
from the “Banc des Aiguilles,” agrees with A. brasilianus in all respects so far as it 
goes. I am not certain as to tlie location of this bank, but the Point “des Aiguilles’^ 
is in northern New Zealand. 
