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PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. V, October, 1951 
Sphagehranchus flavkaudus Snyder (1904: 516, 
pi. 2, fig. 4) (from between Maui and Lanai 
in 21 to 28 fathoms); Jordan and Ever- 
mann (1905: 80, pi. 5, fig. 2) (northeast 
coast of Hawaii in 50 to 60 fathoms). 
A fourth specimen of this species in the 
University of Hawaii Collection is 516 mm. 
in length and was obtained from shallow 
water on the coral reef in Hanauma Bay, 
Oahu. 
The posterior nostril of this species opens 
as an elliptical hole in the outside of the upper 
lip; the opening is partly covered by a flap 
(Fig. 14^). According to Weber and de Beau- 
fort’s classification of the ophichthids (1916: 
280) C. flavicauda would key out to the genus 
Hemerorhinus. However, Hemerorhinus Weber 
and de Beaufort appears to be one of the less 
justified generic names in the Caecula group. 
5. Caecula (Sphagehranchus) platyrhyncha 
new species 
Table 3 and Figs. 1, lAb,d 
?Caecula flavicauda [non Sphagehranchus flavi- 
caudus Snyder], Fowler (1928: 47) (Kahala, 
Oahu; one headless specimen). 
Fig. 14. a. Head, and r, ventral view, of gill open- 
ings of Caecula {Sphagehranchus) flavicauda; h and d, 
same views of Caecula {Sphagehranchus) platyrhyncha. 
holotype: U.S.N.M. No. 152543, 430 mm. 
in length, taken in a shallow-water poison 
station at Hauula Park, north shore of Oahu, 
T. H., on June 28, 1949, by Gosline and 
party. 
PARATYPES: University of Hawaii No. 316, 
10 specimens, 155 to 365 mm. in length, 
taken with the holotype; University of Hawaii 
No. 958, 9 specimens, 305-375 mm., taken 
by Needham and Welsh, July, 1949, at Hana- 
lei, Kauai; U.S.N.M. No. 152544, 3 speci- 
mens, 164-355 mm., from a tide pool oppo- 
site Pupukea, Waimea coast, Oahu, T. H., 
collected by Gosline and party, Nov. 22, 
1948; Bernice P. Bishop Museum No. 5543, 
1 specimen, 455 mm., from Laie, north coast 
of Oahu, Dec. 17, 1949, collected by Sam 
Cooke. 
A relatively short, sturdy species for the 
subgenus, with both ends sharply pointed. 
Snout forming a flattened triangle in cross 
section, with well-developed lateral ridges; 
remainder of body more or less cylindrical. 
Anus somewhat forward of center of length. 
Eye minute, embedded, and little protruding, 
but readily visible from the exterior, situated 
approximately over center of distance from 
tip of snout to rictus and over forward part of 
cleft of the inferior mouth. Anterior nostril 
within a very slightly raised rim on the 
flattened lower surface of the rostrum, its 
diameter about equal to the width of the eye. 
Posterior nostrils opening from the inside of 
the upper lip into the mouth, slightly before 
eye, not visible from the exterior. Upper lip 
with a deep median groove, within which lie 
the intermaxillary teeth. All the teeth de- 
pressible backwards, apparently not im- 
planted in sockets in the jaws, uniserial 
throughout. About 5 teeth in the inter- 
maxillary, 11 on the vomer, 15 on each maxil- 
lary, and about 20 on each side of the lower 
jaw. Sensory pores of head and body very 
prominent. Gill openings close together 
(separated forward by an isthmus about an 
eye diameter in width), nearly parallel (lines 
projected forward from their inner surfaces 
