REVIEW OF THE SEERANID^. 
351 
E. sellicauda, which seems to be identical with E. labriformis. We have also added 
E. Jlavolimbatus^ which we now regard as probably a valid species, E. merus, a re- 
cent addition to the American fauna, and the European species, E. caninus, alexan- 
dritim. chrysotcenia, aspersiis, wneus, and goreensis. 
We retain for this genus the old generic name Epineplielus, because, taking the 
successive restrictions which have followed its use by Bloch, its use by all authors 
would hold it with the i)reseut group. 
The species of Epineplielus which suggested to Bloch the generic name is, however, 
a Mycteroperca, for the name (meaning clouded over) came from a supposed character 
of Mycteroperca rubra {Epineplielus ruber Bloch). Bloch & Schneider say of this 
species: “ Oculi membrana communi quasi nebula ita obducta ut opaci esse videan- 
tur; unde noraeu genericum.” Block gives “Blddauge,” dim-eye, as the German 
equivalent of Epineplielus. Should we regard the species which suggests the generic 
name as the type of the genus, the name Epineplielus must take the place of Mycter- 
operca, while the present genus would be called (Jerna. 
We think, however, that the restrictions made by different authors should deter- 
mine the type. The gradual elimination of species would leave the genus as defined 
by Gill, and Epineplielus marginalis Bloch may be regarded as its type. This species 
is congeneric with E. catus, E. striatus, and other typical American forms. The name 
Verna is then a synonym of Epineplielus. 
We can find no description of the typical species of Cyniclitliys{^^Jlavopurpuratus”), 
and we are not sure whether it belongs to this genus or not. 
The genus Epineplielus is represented in all warm seas. Even after the removal of 
the numerous species here placed in other genera, it is by far the largest of all the 
genera of Serranidce. 
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF EPINEPHELUS FOUND IN AMERICA AND EUROPE. 
a. Interorbital space of moderate width, its breadth more than half diameter of eye and 7 to 10 times 
in length of head ; lateral teeth* of lower jaw in more than 
two rows, at least in the adult {Epinephelm). 
b. Dorsal spines ten; caudal rounded; body with faiut, dark cross-shades and many round, dark- 
orange spots, these extending on the fins ; vertical fins not 
edged with black ; preopercle without salient angle ; lower 
jaw strongly projecting (in all respects, except the number 
of spines, almost identical with E. adscemionis). 
Analogus, 21. 
bb. Dorsal spines eleven. 
c. Second dorsal spine short, lower than third or fourth. 
d. Preopercle without distinct spiiiules on its lower limb; nostrils subequal, the posterior 
usually not twice diameter of the anterior; pyloric caeca in 
small number, usually 10 to 25. 
/. Body and head covered with red or orange spots (dusky in spirits and always darker 
than the ground color). 
g. Vertical fins without dark edge ; their bases spotted like the body ; body with large 
pale spots besides the orange spots ; young with large black 
blotches at base of dorsal ; lower jaw strongly projecting ; 
angle of preopercle not salient ; form robust. 
Adscensionis, 22. 
'Lateral teeth of lower jaw in two rows only in the subgenus Hypoaerranus Klunzinger. 
