specimens, no conclusion can be reached on this points 



All natives who viere asked about this species said that it nas 

 poisonous « 



This species is probably somewhat less poisonous than the preceding 

 fines. 

 [Page 24] 



U» Amadareatsubo (Plate 2, Fig. 4) 



Scientific name - ( ^nnnothorax f avaid-neus var. ielngteenus (Richardson) 

 Local name - mB^] (llarshallese) 



Distribution - Indian Ocean, East Indies, Marshalls, 



Morphological characteristics - Generally identical with the species des- 

 cribed above, but the coloration is entirely different. 'Various scientists 

 hare recognized it as a variety of the preceding species, and since large 

 specimens are never seen, ones measuring from 40 to 50 cm bein^; abundant 

 in the coral reefs, it is possibly an immature form. 



Toxicity . Although this is merely a color variation of the preceding 

 species, the natives say that it is not poisonous. Since the results of 

 our e9q>eriments have shown that the preceding species is pretty clearly 

 poisonous, it is vexy interesting; that such similar varieties can differ 

 completely in toxicity. 



5. Aseutsubo (Plate 2, Fig. 5) 



Scientific name - Gymnothorax pictua Ahl 

 Local name - ma.'^ ( llarshallese} 



Distribution - Indian Ocean, E, Indies, South Seas, Philippines, Hawaii. 

 Morphological characteristics - The canine teeth in the snout In this 

 species are not slanting fang-shaped hinged teeth, but are coniform. They 

 are not especially large and do not differ in any xnay from the other 

 teeth. The markings change markedly with age. Figure 5 represents an 

 old specimen. In young ones the dark spots are larger and fewer. In a 

 young specimen about lb cm long the white ground color was divided into 

 about three rows and in each row there were only about 50 dark brown 

 spots. This species attains a length of 70 cm, but those commonly taken 

 run about 50 em. Abundant in coral reefs. 

 [Page 25] 



• ^oxicity . This species was taken Just before our departure so we 

 could not test it. 



According to the natives this species, like the preceding one, is 

 edible and well-flavored. They do not distinguish it from the preceding 

 species, give it no special name-, and accordingly have the same notion 

 as tc its edibility. 



24 



