PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL ]*IUSEUM. 587 



.29. Gambusia patruelis holbrooki (Ajiassiz) J. & G. 



A specimen from Black River, Sontli Carolina, was i)resented by Dr. 

 Manij^ault. 



Head 05 in length; ey(^ 2J in head, liMn interorbital width; I), 7; A. 

 9; hit. 1. 30. The dark bar across (iheeks is distinct, and the vertical 

 fins are marked with blackish dots, which form two very distinct cross- 

 bands on candal tin. In G. j^af nidi s from Galveston, these bars ou tbe 

 candal are either indistinct or altogether wanting, and the dark bar on 

 cheeks is often obsolete; in all specimens of holbrooli swn h\ ns, these 

 markings are conspicuons. 



Three yonng males (less than 1 inch long), from Entaw Springs, S. 

 C, show dark spots on dorsal fin, and a dark shade across cheeks. The 

 specimens agree in proportions and fin rays with adnlt females. 



30. Ophichthys clirysops Poey — ^^Sea-serpent." 



A single specimen, 20 inches long, evidently of the same species as onr 

 mutilated specimen from Pensacola (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1882, 261), 

 and answering- well Poey's descrijition of Ophichthys vhryso})s, shows the 

 following characters : 



Olive-brown above, thickly dusted with dark points ; pectorals wholly 

 dusky; dorsal and anal translucent, with blackish margins ; body white 

 below ; mucous pores on head consi)i(;uous, black ; lower jaw with dusky 

 cross-blotches ; no dark lines on throat. 



Head and trunk If in tail ; head 2^ in trunk ; eye equaling interorbi- 

 tal space 1^ in snout, 9;V in head ; a series of about eight mucous pores 

 along side of each mandible; numerous })ores on nape and top of head, 

 three in a vertical series behind eye, about four along sides of upjjer 

 jaw below eye; cleft of mouth 2| in head. Teeth conical, short and 

 strong, not blunt, uniform in size, none of them enlarged; in two very 

 distinct series on all the dentigerous bones. Anterior nostrils not 

 elongate, the tube less than diameter of eye. Gill openings broadly 

 crescent-shaped, separated by a distance 1^ their width, which is about 

 one- third gape of mouth. 



Dorsal beginning over last fourth of pectoral, the distance of its origin 

 from snout equaling two-fifths distance from snout to vent ; pectoral 

 about equaling gai>e of mouth. Free portion of tail sharp, comi)ressed, 

 about two-thirds diameter of orbit. 



The description of OpMmrus gomesii Castelnau is possibly based on a 

 specimen of this species, and the specific name would, in that case, super- 

 sede chrysops. Hut the description is inadequate and might refer to one 

 of several other species. We think it best to retain Poey's name. 



31. Tylosurua marinus (Bl. & Scliu.) J. &. G. 



Numerous specimens seen swimming about in the harbor, where it is 

 doubtless abundant. 



