CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 697 



streaks, mostly horizontal, producing a reticulated effect; fins 

 plain; a dark band below eye. Bands, 15; dorsal rays, 14; 

 anal rays, 13; lateral line, 125 scales; length, 2 feet. 



" This fine fresh-water fish is abundant throughout the State, 

 inhabiting pretty much every stream and pond, avoiding rapid 

 currents, and delighting in still, deep waters, with a sufficient 

 growth of spatter-dock to conceal them from the sun's rays and 

 general observation, while they lie in wait for any unlucky min- 

 now, shiner, roach or chub that may approach within a limited 

 number of feet of them." 



ORDER APODES. 



(ENCHYLYCEPHALI. HOLOSTOMI. COLOCEPHALI.) 



Eels. 



Scapular arch free from cranium ; no precoracoid ; no ventral fins ; 

 increased number of vertebrse; no pseudobranchise. 



Family ANGUILLIDJE. 



Eels. 



Body serpent shaped ; head conical ; maxillaries wanting or united 

 with premaxillaries ; gill openings separate. Includes more than the 

 Anguillidce of Giinther. 



ANQUILLA, Thun. 



(Mureena, L.) 



A. rostrata, Le S. (tenuirostris,bostoniensis,tyrannus.) Common Ameri- 

 can Eel. 



Tongue free anteriorly ; pectorals present ; body with small 

 scales; lower jaw projecting; teeth in bands; head pointed and 

 not short ; dorsal one-third of length from snout ; distance from 

 front of anal to front of dorsal about equal to length of head ; 

 pectoral shorter than mandible; color brown, with yellowish 

 tinge. Length, 50 inches. 



