94 
no neural spines. The first 4 vertebrae bear 
strongly-developed, winglike transverse pro- 
cesses. These curve out and back, and each has 
on its posterior margin a long, thin, backward- 
directed process that seems to represent a fused 
epicentral (these structures lie on the same plane 
as the epicentrals associated with the more pos- 
terior vertebrae; furthermore, epicentrals are 
otherwise lacking on the first 4 vertebrae). The 
5th through 9th vertebrae bear epicentrals, and 
weak transverse processes without backward 
prolongations. Bohlke mentioned no such pecu- 
liar condition in Nystactichthys halts , nor can 
I find transverse processes on the anterior verte- 
brae in Taenioconger digueti or T. hem. In T. 
hassi, however, weak transverse processes are 
developed on the first few vertebrae. In Gor- 
gasia the transverse processes are more weakly 
developed posterior to the 4th vertebra, and are 
not noticeable posterior to the 10th vertebra. 
The abdominal vertebrae bear strong para- 
pophyses to which, posterior to the 6th vertebra, 
are articulated strong pleural ribs. There is a 
strong median vertical ridge on each parapo- 
physis. The first haemal spine appears 15 ver- 
tebrae behind the anal origin, and the pleural 
ribs are present to this point. 
The caudal vertebrae bear transverse pro- 
cesses, commencing 6 vertebrae behind the anal 
origin. The transverse processes regress toward 
the tail-tip and are no longer apparent on the 
10th vertebra before the caudal. The neural 
arches of the caudal vertebrae are smooth until 
about the 60th postanal vertebra, which bears 
the first neural spine, in the form of a small 
projection. The neural spines persist as low 
conical projections until 17 vertebrae from the 
tail-tip, behind which they become increasingly 
higher and more bladelike until they assume 
the shape shown in Figure 3. The haemal 
spines are also small and inconspicuous anterior 
to the 17th vertebra from the tail-tip. Thereafter, 
like the neural spines, they become increasingly 
higher and more bladelike. Shortly before the 
tail-tip the haemal spines become divided, so 
that the haemal arches are again open, as on 
the precaudal vertebrae (Fig. 4). 
Epicentrals are associated with all vertebrae 
except the last 10. Epipleurals appear 6 verte- 
brae behind the anus and persist until 15 verte- 
brae before the tail-tip. 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. XXI, January 1967 
Fig. 4. Last 3 vertebrae of Gorgasia punctata, 
lateral view. AR, Anal ray; CE, centrum; BAS, basal 
element of pterygiophore ; CR, caudal ray; DR, dorsal 
ray; HY, hypural; NA, neural arch; RAD, radial 
element of pterygiophore. 
Dorsal and ventral intramuscular bones are 
well developed, and associated with all but the 
first 12 and last 4 vertebrae. Most of the intra- 
musculars are simple ; one of those illustrated in 
Figure 3 happens to be bifurcate. 
CAUDAL AND ASSOCIATED STRUCTURES (Fig. 
4) : The tail-tip of Gorgasia is hard and 
pointed, with the fin rays concealed. However, 
the caudal skeleton is well developed and com- 
plex. As mentioned above, the neural and 
haemal arches and associated spines become 
expanded posteriorly, and the haemal and, to 
a lesser extent, the neural arches become open. 
According to the terminology of Nybelin 
(1963), there is but one ural centrum. Fused 
to it is a large hypural plate, probably consisting 
of several fused hypurals. The structure labeled 
HY? in Figure 4 is somewhat problematical. It 
has a basal-less fin ray associated with it and thus 
might be termed a hypural, but from its posi- 
tion it is difficult to determine whether it is 
itself associated with the last preural centrum 
or the ural centrum. Likewise, the nature of the 
dorsal element labeled NA is somewhat ambig- 
uous. It might be termed an epural, but since it is 
fused to the centrum, and divided anteriorly like 
the preceding neural arch, I term it a neural arch, 
despite the circumstance that it bears two "prin- 
