330 1CHTHYOL 



impression, but on closer examination it will be found to 

 have scales, and narrow fringes may be seen near the tail, 

 representing the dorsal and anal fins. It corresponds in 

 all important respects with M'Clelland's description of 

 P. striatus, but the tail is rather shorter ; there are no 

 black spots on the back, and the under parts are or- 

 ange-white, interspersed with dark patches or spots, of 

 the same olive-green colour as the back. 



Pncumabranchus striatus, M'Clell. 



Unibranchapcrtura cuchia, Buchan. 



cls^gu o3ioo"u ooiojicolii 



PHAYRE'S SERPENT-HEARTED EEL. 



This is a new species, more typical of the tribe than 

 the preceding, and may be regarded as the serpent-heart- 

 ed eel par excellence. Dr. M'Clelland received his spe- 

 cimens from Capt. Phayre ofArracan, and named the 

 species after him. I have not identified the fish in 

 these Provinces; but there is an eel which the natives say 

 differs from the preceding in having a shorter head and 

 being destitute of scales, which shows that it is either 

 this species, or a species of ophisternon. To assist in the 

 identification of this rare and curious species, I insert 

 M'Clelland's description in full. 



"In this singular species the intestinal aperture is placed 

 at the posterior fifth of the length. The head is short, 

 raised and round, larger in diameter than the body, the 

 adjoining portion of which is, towards the head, aug- 

 mented ; the jaws are depressed, the upper jaw is rath- 

 er more prominent than the lower, the muzzle is round- 

 ed, having two short tubular nostrils at the extremity. 



"The body is not compressed, but is slightly conical 

 from the head to near the vent ; the tail from thence 

 becomes much compressed and very narrow. The tail 

 is emarginated with an adipose duplicative of the skin 

 like the blade of an oar. 



"The outer band of teeth on the upper jaw expands in 

 front on either side, without meeting the opposite cor- 

 responding band, thus leaving a narrow vacant space 

 ait the apex. There are three strong branchial archer 



