NO. 15 TWO NEW EELS AND A NEW FLATFISH REID 9 



half longitudinal diameter of orbit. Depth of bod}' at vent equal to 

 length of lower jaw, width at same point equal to length of snout. 

 Isthmus much broader than depth of branchial opening, nearly equal 

 to longitudinal diameter of the eye. Gape moderate, reaching opposite 

 posterior edge of pupil. Upper jaw longer than lower, the preoral 

 length about equal to pupil diameter. Anterior nostril in a short tube 

 close to rostral pit. Posterior nostril in a longitudinal slit at upper 

 front edge of eye with flanged edges folding over the opening anteri- 

 orly. There are five large slitlike pores or pits on the side of the snout, 

 two between the anterior nostrils, an oblong one just above the base 

 of and one just behind the nostril, and two in the upper lip. There are 

 three pairs of pores just below the tip of the mandible, the posterior 

 pair largest, followed by a linear series of seven along the lower jaw 

 and throat. There is a large pore behind the corner of the mouth below 

 the posterior edge of the pupil. Eyes covered by a pronounced adipose 

 membrane concealing the orbital rim. Lip extending forward to op- 

 posite the hindmost premaxillary teeth, where it is joined by an inner 

 lip provided with a finely fringed edge and extending longitudinally 

 between the outer lip and the maxillary band of teeth. The upper lip 

 is provided with small bony stays similar to those found in Uroconger 

 Icptiirns (Richardson). Teeth small, sharp, conical, in bands on the 

 maxillary and mandible, in five irregular rows, the width anteriorly 

 tapering to one or two series near the posterior end. Premaxillary 

 teeth in an oval patch, a few of which are small canines, even the hind- 

 most visible from directly beneath when the mouth is closed. There 

 are about 15 teeth in the premaxillary group. There are 14 teeth in a 

 more or less diamond-shaped patch on the vomer, 2 on the median line 

 in the center of the group enlarged and caninelike. The actual shape 

 of the vomerine patch is obscured by confluence with the maxillary 

 bands. All of the larger teeth in the mouth are depressible posteriorly. 

 The maxillary band of teeth does not extend around the head of the 

 vomer but ceases laterally, leaving a naked area between the premaxil- 

 lary and vomerine groups, against which the tip of the mandible closes. 

 The lateral line originates in a white pore on the median line at the 

 occiput and descends to the side of the nape, bending backward at a 

 sharp angle, and rises slightly over the branchial region and gradually 

 descends to the side. It is situated in a groove marked out by rectangu- 

 lar dark spots. A subline of white pores follow the course of the dark 

 spots in an alternating manner, and each pore appears to be connected 

 with a dark area by a tube running obliquely upward and forward. 

 The two lines are well separated anteriorly, gradually fusing to a single 

 line on the posterior part of the body. There are 31 pores in its course 



