P ISC E S . I l l
Ophichthys, Gthr.
*0. r e g iu s , Eich.—Generally known as Sea Snakes. They are
of no use as food. Specimens of these creatures were brought to
Europe by Captain Cook, but as he had not recorded the locality
whence he took them it remained unknown until my collection of
fishes reached the British Museum.
Myroconger, Gthr.
*M . c om p r e s s u s , Gthr.—The Eed Eel, of the Islanders is very
commonly taken in about eight or nine fathoms water and used
for food. I t is peculiar to the Island.
Mursena, Gthr.
M . f la v o p ic ta , Kaup:—The Large Speckled Conger is perhaps
the most abundant of this class of fish, and is taken in considerable
quantities in deep water. Salted and grilled, it forms one of the
'chief articles of food to the poor.
M. moringa, Cuv.—The Common Conger is abundant, and, like
the last species, is taken for its value as food, at a depth of eight
or nine fathoms.
*M . s a n c ts e h e le n a e , Gthr.—The Bird-eye Conger is another
species, also taken for food. I t derives its local name from the
external marks on its skin, and is peculiar to the Island.
*M. tmicolor, De la Eoche.—The small Brown Eels, called
Griggs, are caught close in shore in shallow water, where they lie in
holes in the rocks for any bait that may chance to come in their
way.
Ord er P lectognathi.
Fam. Ostracionidai.
Ostracion, Art.
* 0 . q u a d r i c o r n i s , Linn.—The Hog or Trunk-fish is, with the
following five species, quite unfit for food. I t is also found in the West
Indies, and is not very common at St. Helena.
Fam. GymnodontidfB.
Chilomycterus, Gthr.
*C. r e t i c u l a t u s , Linn.—An enormous creature, about two feet in
length, frequently taken close in shore, and called the Lantern-fish ;