248 BULLETIN 100, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



SAGITTA MINIMA Grassi. 



Plate 37, figs. 16-17; plate 38, fig. 29. 



Saqitta minima Grassi (1881), p. 213; (1883), p. 15.— Krumbach (1903), p. 637.- 

 Rjtter-Zahony (1911), p. 25. 



This species is represented by only two specimens (Cat. No. 17925, 

 U.S.N. M.), both of which are apparently sexually mature. Both 

 were obtained on April 3, 1908, from the surface at station D. 5195, 

 off northern Cebu Island, 10° 47' north and 124° 6'. 5 east. Except 

 for the mature ovaries they are almost inseparable to the naked 

 eye from small S. enflata. Microscopic examination, however, 

 reveals several marked differences. The species is redescribed on 

 the basis of these two specimens. 



Collarette absent. Body flabby and widest on a level with anterior 

 end of posterior fins, tapering gradually toward head and tail. Con- 

 striction at tail-septum slight or absent. Ovary (pi. 38, fig. 29) 

 short, not extending to anterior end of posterior fins. Ova large 

 and arranged in a single row within the ovary. Corona ciliata not 

 observed. 



Anterior fins shorter and narrower than posterior fins and entirely 

 rayless. They fall short of reaching the posterior end of ventral 

 ganglion by nearly two-thirds the length of fins. Interval from 

 anterior to posterior fins approximately equal to half the length of 

 anterior fins. 



Posterior fins (pi. 38, fig. 29) with rays arranged perpendicular 

 to the body. Interval from fins to seminal vesicles 3 to 5 per cent 

 of total length. More than 50 per cent of fins in front of tail-septum. 

 Position of greatest width behind tail-septum. 



Vestibular ridge (pi. 37, fig. 16) provided with low, regular papillae, 

 one for each tooth. Wing covers all except the first tooth, the second 

 being just barely covered. Notch extends to fourth tooth. Ex- 

 ternal process apparently missing. 



Anterior teeth, 4 to 5 in number (2 to 5 according to Ritter-Zahony, 

 1911, p. 26). They are very closely set and not diverging much 

 distahy. Posterior teeth (pi. 37, fig. 16), 10 or 11 in number (6 to 14 

 according to Ritter-Zahony). They are not so closely set as the 

 anterior teeth, but are more divergent distally. 



Seizing jaws (pi. 37, fig. 17), 8 or 9 in number (7 to 8 according to 

 Ritter-Zahony). Point with an oval base, inserted into shaft by 

 less than one-fifth its height. Tip of point curved toward its edge. 

 Base of point and top of shaft parallel. Pulp-canal central, with a 

 swollen place below base of point. Pulp evenly distributed through- 

 out canal. 



Aside from the number • f teeth and seizing jaws and length of 

 tail, only one of the two sp "•e'fta is well enough preserved to permit 

 accurate measurements. 



