ií! ¡B !
|i
o f the rostrum, tubular, solitary, and on each side o f the rostrum are three small apertures a t equal distances.
On each side o f the upper jaw are two small, short cirri.
T h e branchial membrane was hidden; there being only a small linear aperture near the pectoral fin.
T lie inmk round, oblong, tapering. T h e lateral line, declining from above the pectoral fin, run along the
middle o f the side to the tail. T iie anus central, between the head and the tail.
T h e jir ti. T h e dorsal rising from near the hind head, terminates near the point o f the t a i l ; the mys almost
o f equal length, but somewhat shorter towards the e n d ; the pectoral, short, and roundish; the anal, like the
dorsal, terminates near the tail. T h e tail is a little compressed, and sharp pointed.
T h e colour a dusky yellowish, brightening a little on the belly.
T h e length - - - - - - - - - - - -
Circumference where thickest - - - - - - - - - - - o 5
T his fish is eaten by the natives.
luches. Lines.
No. X X X IV .
MuraiNA dentibus granulosis; punctidis tribus, a d ro strum ; cirris carens; cauda p innata
sub-rotunda.
T h e MuRyENA w ith g ran u la r tee th ; th re e small h oles o n ea ch side o f tlie r o s tr um ; n o c i r r i ;
a p in n a te d , ro u n d is h , tail.
Ca lled b y th e N a tiv e s M a l a g u P a u m .
T h e body round, thick at tlie shoulders, tapers more in proportion than the E e l; the skin smooth, but streaked
in a manner so as at first sight to resemble scales.
T h e bead conical, but shorter than the former, and less sharp. T h e jaws nearly o f equal le n g th ; the teeth
gran u la r ; the tongue ovate, large, smooth moveable. T h e fore part o f the palate set with granular teeth, the
hinder part smooth. T h e eyes almost marginal, small, round. T h e nostrils single, near the orbit, and two
tubuli at the extremity o f the rostrum, with three small foramina on each side. T h e branchial membrane
concealed; the small aperture is a little lower than the pectoral fin.
T h e trunk, the shoulders and belly round, fu ll; the tail towards the end compressed. T h e lateral line not
visible above, but on the tail is conspicuous and straight. T h e anus in the middle, large, round.
T h e ^ j ii. T h e dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, are joined; the former rises near the middle o f the back, the
second a little behind the an us; the caudal is narrow, and rounded at the point. T h e pectoral fin, consisting
o f thirteen rays, is small, roundish, and pointed.
T h e upper part o f the head and body, are o f a dusky dark colour, the belly o f a dull leaden wiiite.
Feet. Indies. Lines.
T lie length Q o
T h e circumference where thickest - - - - - - _ _ _ o 6‘ 5
No. X X X V .
M u r^ e n a pin n is carens.
T h e MurzENA w ith o u t f in s ,
Called b y th e N a tiv e s D o n d o o P a u m .
T h e body roundish, eel-form, covered with a coriaceous skin, and terminating in a v ery small sharp-pointed
tail.
T h e bead v ery little broader than the neck, oblong, depressed above, compressed, or rounded on the sides,
smooth; the rostrum short, obtuse,
T lie mouth o f a moderate s iz e ; the lips simple; the jaws of equal length, set with a regular row o f small
teeth, but in the fore part o f the under jaw, there are several rows, and in the palate two diverging rows. T h e
tongue narrow, ovate, smooth, free.
T h e eyes very small, lateral, round. A single nostril near each orbit, but the subject having been sometime
dead, no tubulous nostrils were observed at the rostrum. T h e opercula o b lo n g ; the aperture small; gular,
semi-lunate; the branchial membrane, consisting o f six rays, cannot be seen without dissection.
T h e trunk eel-form to the tail, which is somewhat compressed, and tapers to a small point. N o lateral line;
the anus remote.
T h e ^ n i. N o vestige o f fins whatever.
T h e colour universally black.
Fict. Inches.
T h e length from the rostrum to the anus - 1 6 :
of the tail
R EM A R K .
It was taken in the Ankapilly lake. T h is does not seem to be the Muriena Cieca, o f Linnceus, S. N . p. 426.
No. XXX V I.
MurxE na rostro longiore ; p inna cauda dorsali analique unita.
T h e MuraENa w ith a lo n g rostrum ; th e caudal fin u n ite d w ith the dorsal an d an al.
C alled b y th e Na tiv e s T a l o o P a u m .
I had no opportunity 1 HIS fish was taken in a net, in the month o f June, near Waltier. o f having a drawing
made, and described it on the beach.
T h e trunk was rounder and more taper, than that o f the E e l ; till near the tail, where it became depressed;
no scales, smooth, and o f a shining golden colour. T h e circumference eight inches.
T lie / « i . T h e pectoral very small, the dorsal rose from the hind head, and was continued to the ta i l; the
anal, one halfshorter, joined the caudal, which being partly torn, its shape could not be determined.
T h e head somewhat conical, smooth, depressed on the front, and elongated into a very long rostrum. T h e