420 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



taiued S times in the standard body length. Tlie upper jaw extends to 

 the vertical through the anterior limb of the pupil, and its length equals 

 the distance from the tip of the snout to the posterior margin of the 

 orbit. The lower jaw equals the upper in length, slightly projecting 

 beyond it, however, and, on account of the thickness of the chin, giving a 

 heavy bulldog appearance to the head. The diameter of the eye is con- 

 tained 4 times in the length of the head, the eye being inserted close to 

 the upper profile. jSTostrils minute, close to the upper anterior margin 

 of the orbit, double ; the two apertures placed side by side in a lateral 

 line rather ttiau longitudinally, as is usual. A pair of large pores near 

 the upper posterior margin of the orbit, and a series of three or four 

 similar pores along the posterior limb of the preoperculum ; others 

 scattered here and there over the head. Operculum membranous; gill- 

 openings very wide, the upper angle of the branchial aperture located 

 close to the upper angle of the pectoral base. About 10 teeth in the 

 lower jaw in advance of the double canines. Teeth behind the canines 

 iniuute; 14 or more on each side. Teeth in the upper jaw much more 

 uniform than in the lower; at least 30 in the inner row. Slight granu- 

 lations, or asperities, upon the vomer ; palatines toothless. 



The distance of the first dorsal from the snout is contained 3i to 4 

 times in the standard body length, the base of the first dorsal being 

 equal to the height of the body ; the distance between the fifth and 

 sixth dorsal rays being double the distance between the other rays. The 

 dorsal contains six slender filamentous rays, the greatest length of the 

 longest being nearly or quite equal to the length of the head. The 

 point of insertion of this fin is somewhat variable in its location, some- 

 times directly over that of the ventral and sometimes a little behind. 

 The interspace between the first and second dorsal fins is equal to the 

 width of the base of the pectoral. The second dorsal fin contains 

 twenty-two or twenty-three slender, filamentous rays, those in the 

 anterior portion being slightly longer than the others, and equal in 

 length to the greatest height of the body. 



Insertion of anal midway between the tip of snout and the base of 

 caudal fin. The anal pa]nlla large and located close to the vent. The 

 anal fin contains 20 to 22 rays, about as long as those of the second 

 dorsal, but much stouter, and apparently used in burrowing. 



The caudal is lanceolate and extremely elongate. The length of the 

 middle rays slightly greater than half that of the body, or one-third of 

 the total length of the fish. 



The pectoral is inserted directly over the ventrals. Its length is about 

 equal to the height of the body, its base broad, vertically placed, and 

 equal in width to the length of the operculum. The ventrals are com- 

 osed of a spine and four filameutous rays ; their length greater than 

 that of the head, the tips reaching almost or quite to the vent; they are 

 distinct, though slightly united by a basal meinbrane ; their insertion 

 is closer to the tip of the snout than to the vent. 



