260 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



dimentarj' caudal rays in females 5 in males, distant from snout by 

 length of base of fin ; ventrals inserted in advance of vertical, from 

 origin of dorsal, or, in male, opposite origin of dorsal ; color the same 

 as in latipinna, except that all the specimens show the 5 faint, dark, ver- 

 tical half bars on tLe sides. 



This species can hardly be regarded as more than a representative 

 form of 31. latipinna, and, on the examination of a sufficient number of 

 specimens of the various localities, may be found to vary into the typi- 

 cal form. The differences pointed out above are, however, constant in 

 the specimens in our possession, and seem to warrant the retention of 

 the name for the present. 



The male fish described by Girard as Limia poeciloides, is probably 

 referable to this species. Limia matainorensis, on the contrary, seems to 

 be a typical latipinna. 



29. Muraena ocellata (Ag.) Jen. P. 



One small specimen in good condition, together with the remains of 

 several larger ones, were taken from the stomachs of Ived Snappers at 

 Peusacola. Color light olive green, darker above, becoming light yel- 

 lowish on the belly, the dark color forming reticulations around whitish 

 spots of various sizes 5 most of them round, some oblong and some conflu- 

 ent, the largest not quite as large as eye; spots becoming smaller to- 

 ward head and largest toward the tip of the tail. Dorsal with dark 

 marginal blotches ; anal black edged ; a small jet-black spot at augle of 

 mouth; no black around gill-opening. 



Teeth uniserial, the larger ones distinctly serrated on the posterior 

 margin, rather strong and turned backward, those in front little larger 

 than the others. Vomer, in all specimens examined, without trace of 

 teeth; gape in head; dorsal beginning a little in advance of gill-open- 

 ing. Head 2.^ in trunk; head and trunk a little shorter than tail; eye 

 3 in gape, half broader than gill-slit, equal to interorbital space. 



AXCtUILLID^. 



30. Ophichthys mordax (Poey) J. & G. P. 



One specimen, nearly digested, from the stomach of a Eed Snapper, 

 at Peusacola. The dentition agrees better with Poey's account of his 

 " MacrodonopJds ynordax,^^ than with Giinther's description of Crotalopsis 

 punctifer Kaup. Dr. Giinther considers the two identical. 



31. Ophichthys macrurus Poey. P. (30895.) 



A single specimen, in good condition 11 inches long, was presented to 

 the National Museum by Dr. August Galny, of Galveston. 



Color light olive, the back closely punctulate but pale, the belly 

 whitish ; fins all pale ; dorsal and pectoral without darker margin. 



Head 2§ in distance from snout to vent ; the distance from snout to 

 vent 2| to 2f in total length ; gape 2-§ in head, a little less than length 



