142 ICHTHYOLOGIA OHIENSIS 



[III. 244] THIRD PART.— APODIAL FISHES. 



Having complete gills, with a gill cover and a 

 branchial membrane. No lower or ventral fins. 



[HI. 245] XXX. Genus. Eel. Anguilla. Anguille. 



Body scaleless, elongated. Mouth with small teeth. 

 Pectoral fins. Dorsal and anal fins very long and 

 united with the caudal fins. Vent nearly medial. 

 Gill covers bridled. 



It is remarkable that there is only this apodial 

 genus of fish, and not a single jugular genus, in the 

 Ohio, while there are so many abdominal and tho- 

 racic genera. The Eels of the Ohio of which I have 

 already ascertained four species belong all to the 

 subgenus Conger, having the jaws nearly equal and 

 obtuse. They are permanent, but rare, and reach a 

 large size. They are taken with the hook, seines, 

 &c. They feed on small fishes, shells, and lobsters, 

 and afford a good food. 



92d Species. Broadtail Eel. Anguilla laticauda. 

 Anguille largequeue. 



Black above, white beneath, head flattened, jaws 

 nearly equal, the upper somewhat longer, obtuse 

 and broad. Dorsal fin beginning above the pectorals, 

 which are small and oboval: late- \y8'\ ral line begin- 

 ning before the pectorals; tail large rounded and 

 dilatated. 



It is found in the Ohio in deep and muddy bot- 

 toms. Length from two to four feet. Forehead 

 sloping, eyes very small. Dorsal fin and tail black. 



