THE MORAYS 



Family VIII. Miircentda 



THESE may be distinguished from all other eels by the small 

 round gill-openings and by the absence of pectoral fins. The 

 body and tins are covered by a thick leathery skin, the occipital 

 region is elevated through the development of the strong muscles 

 which move the lower jaw, and the jaws are usually narrow 

 and armed with knife-like or else molar teeth. 



The morays inhabit tropical and subtropical waters, and are 

 especially abundant in crevices about coral reefs. Many of the 

 species reach a large size, and all are voracious and pugnacious. 

 The colouration is usually strongly marked, the colour cells being 

 highly specialized. 



<7. Vertical fins well developed, the dorsal beginning before the 

 vent. 



/'. Posterior nostril an oblong slit, the anterior in a short tube; 



Enchelvcore, 83 



bb. Posterior nostril circular, with or without a tube. 



c. Teeth all, or nearly all, acute, none of those in jaws obtuse 

 or molar-like. 



</. Anterior nostrils without tube; vomerine teeth in many series; 

 lips with a free fold ; Pvtlionichtln's, 83 



JJ. Anterior nostrils each with a long tube; vomerine teeth in i 

 or 2 series; lips continuous with skin of head. 



e. Posterior nostrils without tube, the margin sometimes slightly 

 raised. 



/. Dorsal fin inserted behind the head, over or behind the gill- 

 opening; Rjbula, 8) 



ff. Dorsal fin inserted on the head, considerably before the gill- 

 opening; Gymnoikorax, 83 



cc. Posterior nostrils, as well as anterior, each with a conspicuous 

 tube ; A/7//'<7-;/<7. 83 



cc. Teeth mostly obtuse, molar-like; Echidna, 83 



</<7. Vertical fins rudimentary, confined to the end of the tail. 

 Cleft of mouth short, not half length of head: snout moder- 

 ate, about half the gape; tail about as long as trunk; 



Uropterygius, 83 



. Cleft of mouth long, nearly half head; snout very short, less 

 than one-fourth the gape; tail very short, about half rest of 

 body ; Chantwinurcrna, 83 



