BY ANDREW GARRETT, OF HONOLULU, S. I.
Julis Cuv.
Julis ornatissimus Garrett.
D. 9-13; A. 2-13; V. 1-5; P. 12; C. 2, 1, 6, 6, 1, 2.
The body of this Julis is rich green, which gradually passes into light blue on the breast and belly. The scales on the green ground are margined with vermillion red, and there is a slight tinge of the latter color on the abdominal scales. Four alternate oblique light red and blue vittæ pass from the middle of the gill-opening, and gradually fade away beneath the anterior portion of the abdomen. The head, which is emerald green, is ornamented with vermillion red stripes, which have their margins shaded off with brilliant blue. The stripes are disposed as follows: one traverses the upper line of profile, two extend from the upper lip to the eye, one follows the lower line of the head, passing up the hinder margin of the gill covers; two horizontal ones on the cheek, and, posteriously to the eye they assume reticulations. Irides golden yellow, with shades of light red; cornea dusky green. The dorsal, anal and caudal fins are carmine red, margined with pale blue. The former with a basal row of large spots, and an intramarginal band, dark green. Two similar bands mark the outer half of the anal fin, and spots of the same color may be observed on the caudal. The ventrals are pale, straw-yellow, with blue, anterior margins. Pectorals have a pale, yellow tinge at their base.
The greatest depth of the body, as compared to the entire length of the fish, is about one to four. The scales are rather large. The head constitutes a little less than a fourth of the total length. In addition to the usual teeth which characterize the genus, we observe a spiniform tooth projecting obliquely forward from the posterior portion of the branches of the upper jaw. The caudal fin is posteriorly rounded off, and the ventrals are long and pointed.
Length, 4½ inches.
Habitat, Sandwich Islands.
Remarks.—We have observed only a single example of this very rare and beautiful fish, which was captured at the island of Hawaii in 1856. Its peculiar markings will readily distinguish it from any of the numerous species inhabiting our coasts. In shape and markings of the head it resembles Julis pæcila, figured in the Zoology of the Voyage of the “Blossom,” but the colors of the body and fins are widely different.