﻿Mtircenophis. Gangetic fishes. 17 



The lateral line forms an arch before, and then runs straight 

 along the middle of the side. The tail ends in a sharp point, is 

 compressed, and has sharp edges above and below. 



II. Genus. — Mur^enophis. 



Fishes of the second order, with a body like a serpent, but 

 without scales, and devoid of pectoral fins, with the fins of the 

 back vent and tail united into one, and with an opening to the 

 gills on each side of the neck. 



The genus, of which I am now treating, by Bloch has been 

 called Gymnothorax, which La Cepede was scarcely justifiable 

 in changing to Murcenophis ; but, as the Murcena of the an- 

 cients belongs to this genus, the name might have been appro- 

 priated to it, while the name Anguilla might have been be- 

 stowed on the genus, which La Cepede calls Murcena^ as the 

 common and well known eel is no doubt the Anguilla of the 

 Latins. 



1st Species. — Mur^nophis sathete. 



A muraenophis with the dorsal fin commencing at the 

 neck, with sharp teeth placed at a distance from each other in 

 both jaws, which are nearly of equal lengths, and with an un- 

 spotted body. 



The sathete I have found in the estuaries near Calcutta. It 

 is a very ugly eel, which grows to five or six feet in length, 

 and is of a brownish black colour, with the under parts of the 

 head of a dirty yellow. 



The head is oval, and small. The nostrils are double, the 

 foremost being tubular. The eyes are small, and far forward. 

 The teeth are strong. The gill-membrane is thick, large, and 

 striated with small rays, the number of which cannot be pro- 

 perly ascertained. The openings to the gills are small. 



