1209 
Poecilophls KAUP, Archlv Naturg., 1856, pt. 1, p. 
66, Type Gymnothorax catenata BLOCH, designated 
by JORDAN, Genera of Fishes, pt. 2, 1919, p. 272. 
Lelhala E. K. JORDAN, Proc. U, S. Nat, Mus., vol, 66, 
1925, p. 5, Type Poecllophls trltor VAILLANT and 
SAUVAGE, mono typic. 
Mouth cleft rather short. Teeth mostly obtuse, molar 
like. Only front nostril tubular. Hind nostril circular. 
Dorsal begins before gill opening. Tail moderate, not 
twice length of trunk. 
• 
Tropical morays, often brilliantly or strikingly color 
ed. The rather few species are distinguished chiefly by 
their obtuse molar like teeth. 
