270 MALACOP. APODES. EEL FAMILY. 



" placed close together, and curving inwards at each 

 side of the extremity of the upper jaw, the two 

 inner one-sixteenth of an inch apart. * In the lower 

 jaw one slender rounded tooth, nearly one line long 

 on each side, curving outward at the base, and in- 

 ward at the point. Entire upper and under jaw 

 and vomer densely studded with small bluntish 

 teeth, somewhat uniform in size ; vomer extending 

 far forward, and very much developed, forming a 

 cavity in the lower jaw, and in advance of the 

 tongue when the mouth is closed ; a series of rows 

 of teeth, similar to those last described, on the palatal 

 bones ; all the teeth of the upper jaw exposed to 

 view when the mouth is closed.'' 



Difference of opinion may arise as to the proper 

 position and relations of this curious j&sh. Mr. 

 Thompson was originally of opinion that it belonged 

 to the Tsenioidas, or Riband-fish, it showing con- 

 siderable affinity to that family. It is to be hoped 

 that other specimens will soon be met with. 



Gen. XCVI. Ammodytes. — This genus is strik- 

 ingly contrasted with the other members of this fa- 

 mily in having a deeply forked tail, and the dorsal 

 and anal fins separated from the caudal by a con- 

 siderable space. The head is a good deal elongated, 

 and the under jaw is much longer than the upper. 

 Although two species appear to have been long 

 recognised by fishermen in this country, and desig- 

 nated by different names, it is but of late that the 



* It is these teeth, which resemble serpents' fangs, that 

 suggested the generic, appellation of Echiodon. 



