NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 477 



distant, and the distance from the upper edge of the orbit to the facial outline 

 is equal to the distance between the lower margin of the orbit and free edge of 

 the upper lip. The gill-opening is rather small, oblique, situated as far pos- 

 teriorly to the commencement of the dorsal fin as that is posterior to the angle 

 of the jaws. (The pores upon the snout and lateral line, in this specimen, 

 are not visible. ) 



The teeth are uniserial, compressed, and very acute ; the palatines, 

 vomerine, and mandibular teeth all inwardly directed. Nasal teeth fourteen ; 

 widely set, and from three to five minute teeth between each pair. Three 

 teeth are placed upon the mesial line ; the second one very slender, and the 

 longest tooth in the mouth ; the third is twice as great in circumference, 

 and but little shorter than the second tooth. Twelve compressed, acute teeth 

 are situated upou the vomer, in a direct line ; the anterior tooth much the 

 largest. Palatine teeth, thirteen, of a uaiform size ; the series commencing 

 below the centre of the orbit and terminating shortly anteriorly to the angle of 

 the jaws. The mandible is armed with twenty-six teeth upon each side ; the 

 anterior four of each side being nearly three times as great in size, more widely 

 set, and the posterior pair have a single, compressed, very small tooth between 

 them. 



Color. The ground color of this species is a dark hair brown, nearly black 

 upon the occiput and cheek, and along the base of the dorsal fin. The head, 

 body, and both fins are irregularly reticulated with narrow bands of white, 

 varyirg in width and becoming yellow on the posterior fifth of the dorsal fin, 

 and upon that portion of the body, but in a less degree. Three broken lines of 

 black extend along the body, from the angle of the jaws to the gill- opening. 

 Iris chrome yellow. Total length 1 9i inches. To anus 9 inches. To gill- 

 opening 2f inches. 



Habitat. Sandwich Islands. 



A single specimen of this peculiar Murana was brought from the above 

 locality, and presented to the Academy, by Dr. J. K. Townsend, to whom the 

 Academy is indebted for many species of fishes, which enrich their icthyo- 

 logical cabinet. 



The peculiarity of this 3Iurcena, which immediately falls under the notice of 

 the icthyologist, is the remarkably slender snout ; which consequently gives 

 the dentition an unusual aspect, in crowding the marginal nasal teeth and those 

 upon the mesial line into close proximity ; and the vomerine teeth so close to 

 the palatines. The great acuteness of the teeth in every series, their close 

 proximity, and inward direction, aive this species a ferocious appearance, 

 which certainly must be realized by every unfortunate fish, whose fate it is to 

 be mangled by his jaws. 



4. Thyrsoidea Kaupii, Abbott. The genus Thyrsoidea differs from 

 Murmna by having the palatine teeth biserial. 



Spec. Char. Head, facial outline, and general characters of the jaws, except 

 their less tenuity, similar to Murcena acutirostris, Abb. The fold of the skin, 

 enveloping the dorsal fin, is thick on the anterior portion of the fin, and pre- 

 vents the rays from being felt. The commencement of the dorsal fin is twice 

 as far distant from the gill-opening, as from the angle of the jaws. The eye is 

 large, longitudinally oval ; its longitudinal diameter entering four times in the 

 length of the side of the head, measuring from the angle of the jaws. The 

 anterior nostrils are furnished with long slender tubes, which extend to the 

 free margin of the lip ; the posterior nostrils are not tubular. The anus is 

 situated two inches anteriorly to the centre of the total length. The body, 

 posteriorly to the anus, tapers slowly to the extremity of the tail, which is very 

 acute. 



The nasal teeth number twelve ; they are tall, slender, inwardly directed, 

 with two very minute teeth between nearly every pair. Two teeth, similar to 

 the marginal nasal teeth, stand upon the mesial line, and are the tallest teeth 



I860.] 33 



