SYMBKANCHIM1. 157 



FAMILY SYMBRANCHID^l. 



(Giinth. Cat. vol. viii.) 



Char. Body long, snake-like, with or without 

 minute scales. No pectoral or ventral fins. Vertical 

 fins rudimentary, reduced to mere folds of skin. 

 Only one aperture to the gills, situated on the lower 

 surface. 



GENUS AMPHIPNOUS. 



Char Palatine teeth in a single series. Small 

 scales on the body, arranged longitudinally. 



1. Amphipnous cuchia. 



Hab. Bengal, near the coast. 2 feet or more. 



Char. No apparent fins. 



Colour above dark green, below a dirty pale red. 

 On every part are scattered small round black spots, 

 and short yellowish lines. 



Body slimy, the scales not being apparent. 



This eel, having no fins, is very similar in appear- 

 ance to a snake. It is fond of lying in the grass near 

 the water, but on being disturbed takes to the water 

 at once. The natives catch them with wicker baskets, 

 open at the ends, which they place over them as they 

 are trying to reach the water. 



