588 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
the delicate tips of the rays would be easily detached and the short stiff bases might then appear as a 
series of differentiated spines. It is certain that this occurrence has been responsible for the ascription 
of spines to at least one species of Nemiclithys ( N. avocetta). This may also be the case in N. acanthonotus 
Alcock and N. fronto Garman. The dorsal originates at a point midway between the occiput and the 
vertical from the base of the pectorals. The pectoral fins are short and broad. The course of the 
lateral line is definitely marked, but no pores are visible under high magnification. 
Upper half of body whitish, unmarked, lower half covered with thickly crowded polygonal spots of 
blackish, about as large as the pupil; most of these are pentagonal or squarish in outline, and each 
consists of a whitish center, from which radiate very numerous fine black hair-lines; a single series 
of these spots runs along the entire upper margin of the lateral line, which is whitish, of the color of 
the back, and very conspicuous; the abdomen and lower side of tail posteriorly develop additional 
black pigment and are much darker; lower half of head, including basal portion of mandibles, irreg- 
ularly blotched or spotted with blackish. 
But one specimen known, probably from much nearer the surface than the depth of the dredge- 
haul would indicate. 
Family OPHICHTHYID^. 
Sphagebranchus flavicaudus Snyder. 
Taken at the following stations: No. 3874, channel between Maui and Lanai, in 21 to 28 fathoms; 
4055, off the northeast coast of Hawaii, 50 to 62 fathoms;' 4061, off the northeast coast of Hawaii, 24 to 
83 fathoms. 
Family MUILENIDiE. 
Uropterygius marmoratus (Lacepede). 
Taken at the following stations: No. 3847, off the south coast of Molokai, in 23 to 24 fathoms; 
3850, off the south coast of Molokai, in 43 to 66 fathoms; 3872,, channel between Maui and Lanai, in 
32 to 43 fathoms; 3876, channel between Maui and Lanai, in 28 to 43 fathoms. 
Gymnotlxorax undulatus (Lacdpede ) and Melichtliys radula Solander have been listed by Snyder 
(Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 1902, 518) from station 3824, off the south coast of Molokai, at a depth of 222 
to 498 fathoms. These are both common reef-forms and were not taken at the station given, but 
probably from 3874, tangles, 21 to 28 fathoms, between Maui and Lanai. 
Uropterygius leucurus Snyder. 
Taken at station 3874, channel between Maui and Lanai, 21 to 28 fathoms. 
Family SYN0D0NTIDJE. 
Synodus varius (Lacepede). 
This common shore form was dredged at the following stations: Nos. 3849, off the south coast of 
Molokai, 43 to 73 fathoms; 3850, off the south coast of Molokai, 43 to 66 fathoms; 3875, Avau Channel, 
34 to 65 fathoms; 4158, vicinity Bird Island, 20 to 30 fathoms. 
Synodus kaianus (Gunther). 
Nine specimens were secured of a species of Synodus, which we are unable to distinguish from 
S. kaianus Gunther, known only from Gunther’s figure and brief description, cited below. 
Head 3.3 to 3.7 in length (without caudal), depth about 7. Length of snout 7 to 8 hundredths of 
total length without caudal; diameter of eye 6.5 to 7; length of maxillary 17 to 18; length of pectoral 
15; length of ventrals 20 to 21; distance from tip of snout to front of dorsal 42 to 44; from front of 
dorsal to adipose dorsal 42 to 44; from front of adipose dorsal to middle of caudal base 16 to 17; from 
base of ventrals to front of anal 44. D. rays 10 to 13; A. 10 to 11; P. 12; V. 8; branchiostegal rays 
11 or 12; scales in the lateral line 61-64; 17 or 18 scales in the median series from occiput to front of 
dorsal. 
