EDWIN CHAPIN STARKS 73 



This species is closest to Thalassophryne maculatus Giinther, but differs 

 in having a longer caudal, longer posterior dorsal and anal rays, longer pec- 

 torals, in the character of the teeth on the front of the premaxillary, and in 

 the color. From T. punctata Steindachner, it differs especially in having a 

 much longer pectoral, in having the dorsal and anal scarcely joined to the 

 caudal, and in color. 



A single specimen, 7 inches in entire length, was taken in the lagoon 

 some miles above Natal. 



This species is with much pleasure named for Dr. John Casper Branner, 

 Vice-President of Stanford University, and Director of the Stanford Ex- 

 pedition to Brazil. 



Family GOBIESOCID^. 



219. Gobiesox barbatulus Starks, new species. 



Plate 14. 



The head is as wide as it is long, and is contained 2^ times in the 

 entire length to the caudal base. The depth at the occipit is equal to a 

 half of the width at the same point. The diameter of the eye is contained 

 5 times in the length of the head and 2 times in the interorbital space. The 

 edges of the nostrils are somewhat raised and the anterior nostril bears a 

 flap widened fan-like toward its distal end. Thick barbels or fleshy papillae 

 are on the lips and are scattered numerously over the anterior part of the 

 head below. The opercular is flexible and covered with skin. All of the 

 teeth are with entire edges and are very small. 



On the front of the upper jaw is a short row of 6 or 7 teeth larger than 

 the others. Close behind them is a longer row extending past the first row 

 and forming part of the lateral marginal teeth. Behind the second row is 

 a still longer third row extending behind the second row and forming the 

 posterior marginal row. In the lower jaw are two rows with their chisel-like 

 edges so closely approximated as to form a single cutting edge. All of these 

 rows are so close together and so small that only one row will be appreciated 

 on each jaw unless the jaws are dried and examined under a compound micro- 

 scope. No teeth are on the vomer or palatines. 



The disk is as wide as it is long and its diameter is a little less than 

 the length of the head. The dorsal has 10 rays and the anal 7. The dis- 

 tance of the front of the dorsal from the base of the caudal is equal to the 

 length of the head. The front of the anal is a trifle behind that of the 

 dorsal. The pectoral is very broad and is equal in length to the postorbital 



