SNIG. 



401 



same length, in order to afford a more just comparison. The 

 vignette at the bottom of the page represents correctly the 

 relative size and power of bone in each species. The cra- 

 nium on the left is that of the Broad-nosed Eel ; that in 

 the middle is from the Snig ; the head on the right hand is 

 from the Sharp-nosed Eel. It is obvious that each is able 

 to overcome a larger and more powerful victim as food than 

 the other. It will also be seen, that independent of some 

 difference in the length and form of some of the bones, as 

 well as in the size of the head in the middle, belonging to 

 the Snig, as compared with that on either side, there is a cha- 

 racteristic distinction in the form of the bones of the verte- 

 bral column. The first five cervical vertebrae are smooth 

 and round, entirely destitute of superior or lateral spinous 

 processes, both of which are possessed by the other two, of a 

 size corresponding to the character of the vertebral bone it- 

 self to which it belongs. With this exception, the skeleton 

 of the Snig most resembles that of the Sharp-nosed Eel ; 

 but is somewhat stronger, and particularly so in the processes 

 of the other vertcbrse generally. 



