78 



Synopsis of the Indian genera of the family Ophidiicte. 



* Vent situated at the throat 



* Vent situated at least about a head-length behind the gill-opening : — 



** Barbels present, on the chin 

 ** No barbels : — 



I, Caudal completely free 

 II. Caudal more or less united with the dorsal and anal fins : — 



A. Head more or less scaly. Oviparous : — 



1. Eyes well developed: — 



i. Bones of the head firm, without spines (except per- 

 haps on the gill-covers) : greatest height of the body 

 from a fourth to a seventh the total length : pre- 

 operculum of moderate size : — 

 o. Pectorals entire : — 



a. Lateral line distinct, extending well on to 

 the tail : — 

 k. Pyloric casca very small : pseudobran- 

 chia? consisting of 2 or 3 filaments ... 

 y. Pyloric cseca large : pseudobrancbire 

 absent 

 /3. Lateral line indistinct or absent 

 b. Lower pectoral rays prolonged and more or less 

 detached from each other and from the rest of 

 the fin 

 ii. Bones of the head thin and soft : greatest body- 

 height an eighth to an eleventh of the total length, 

 the tail ending in a long lash : preoperculum very 

 large and expanded : — 



a. No spines on the head (except one on the oper- 

 culum") 



b. Bones of the head with spiny crests 



iii. Bones of the head thin and soft, with frill-like 

 crests : greatest body-height about a sixth the total 

 length : preoperculum of moderate size : — 



a. No lateral line : ventral fins consisting of one 



or two filaments 



b. No ventral fins : lateral line peculiarly large 

 and conspicuous 



2. No eyes : gill-covers armed with enormous spines 



B. Head covered with a peculiar loose glandular scale-less 

 skin. Viviparous : — 



1. Ventral fins consisting each of a single filament, which 

 however may be made up of more than one ray : — 



i. Scales of the body imbricate : none of the teeth 



enlarged 

 ii. Scales not or hardly imbricate : some of the teeth 

 enlarged 



2. No ventral fins 



[Fierasfer], 

 [Brotula]. 



[DlNENATICHTHYS]. 



Neobtthites. 



Pycnocraspedum. 

 Bassogigas. 



DlCROLENE. 



Bassozetus. 

 Dermatorus. 



Glyptophipiuji. 

 Lamprogrammlis. 



TAOREPOPHimiM. 



Dll'LACANTHOPOMA. 



Saccogaster. 

 Hephthocara. 



