We have compared West Indian scanned in the Academy. 
An example early found in Delaware Bay, obtained by Dr. 
Richard Harlan and received from him sy the Academy in 18350 
is interesting in this connection. After nearly a century 
of preservation in alcohol this specimen is still in good 
condition, and has the distinct color-pattern in agreement 
with the above example. 
Ay 
Microcanthus strigatus (Valenciennes.) fy 
Head!,1/8; depth 1 3/41 D.XI,16,1;A.III,14,1 or 15,4; 
lateral line with 47 to 52 rows of scales to caudal base; pores 
in Latepal Lind 38 to 48 to caudal base3;12 to 14 scales above 
lateral line to spinous dorsal origin, 23 below to spinous anal 
origin; about 40 to 50 predorsal scales; snout 3 2/5 to 3 1/2 
in head; eye 2 3/4 to 3 2/5; maxillary 3 2/3 to 3 4/5; interor- 
bital 3 2/3 to 4 1/4; head width 2 to 2 1/8. Snout conie, long 
as wide. Hind pupil edge midway in head length. Mouth small, 
jaws about even. Maxillary reaches eye; expansion 3 to 3 1/2 
in eye. Front nostril at last third in snout. Interorbital 
convex. Preopercle and suprascapula serrate; preorbital entire; 
opercie with small spine. Rakers 67-13, lanceolate, 2 in fila- 
ments, which 2 in eye. Scales with 4 to 7 basal radiating 
striae; small apical denticles 21 to 62; circuli very fine; 
11 rows of scales on cheek to * ower hind marginal angle of 
preopercle; lateral line complete; slender tubes simple and 
small. Fourth dorsal spine 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 in head ; second 
