PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONxiL MUSEUM. 267 



•which it differs in the presence of canines and in the short dorsal fin. 



This is the first species of the family thus far known from north of the 



e(piator. 



Scytalina cerdale, sp. nov. 



Body elongate, cylindrical anteriorly, compressed .behind, covered 

 with very small imbedded scales. No lateral line. A slight vertebral 

 streak and three \ ery obscure dusk}' lateral streaks simulating lateral 

 lines. 



llead broader than long, with tumid cheeks and constricted neck, 

 much resembling the head and neck of a small snake. Form of snout 

 subconic, the head abruptly narrowed at the eyes, below which is a 

 slight vertical groove. Snout depressed, rounded at tip. 



Interorbital space rather broad, posteriorly concave, a median wrinkle 

 extending along the vertex to the nuchal depression. All these tle- 

 pressions are rather apparent than real, being due to the tumidity of the 

 cheeks, which encroach on the other parts. 



Eyes quite small, directed almost upward, nearly even with the top of 

 the head. Lips full, the upper separated by a crease from the skin of 

 the forehead, the lower with free margin. Skin of forehead with two or 

 three dermal llaps on each side. In one of these the anterior nostrils 

 and some mucous i)ores open. Posterior nostril near the eye, with a 

 very small flap. Edge of lower lip sparsely fringed, below which the 

 skin has several coarse pores with dermal flaps. 



Gape of mouth rather wide, extending a little beyonel the eyes. Lower 

 jaw slightly jn-ojecting, its front with tw^o strong, conic, divergent ca- 

 nines. Between these, and behind, along the sides of the jaw, is a series 

 of smaller close-set conical teeth. Upi-»er jaw with two smaller canines, 

 closer together than those in the lower jaw. Edge of upper jaw with 

 close-set conical teeth, apparently in a single row behind, widening into 

 a broad band in front. A single series of small teeth on vomer and 

 l>alatines. 



Brauchiostegals seven. Gill-openings very wide, the membranes 

 broadly connected and free from the isthmus. Pseudobranchiae small. 

 Gillrali-ers almost obsolete. Gills four, a slit behind the fourth. Opercle 

 very short, the tumid (iheeks encroaching upon it. 



Pectoral fins very small, a little below the axis of the body, their length 

 a little more than the diameter of the eye. No ventral fins. Dorsal fin 

 very low, of soft rays only, which are short and weak, imbedded in the 

 skin. Its insertion a little in front of first ray of anal and slightly in 

 advance of the middle of the body. Tail apparently isocercal, rounded 

 behind, with a well-developed caudal fin, which is rounded behind, and 

 composed of rays longer and much slenderer than those in the dorsal 

 and anal. Xo constriction between dorsal and anal and caudal, the rays 

 of the former fins being joined to the latter at their full height. A^^^ 

 ])recisely like dorsal and nearly coterminous with it. Yent immediately 

 in front of anal. No anal i)apilla. 



