278 BURMA, TTS PEOPLE AM> PHODrCTrOXS. 



MoNOPTERUs, Lacepede. 



Branchiostegals 5 or 6. N"o accessory respii-atory sac. No scales. 



M. jAVAifENsis, Laccp. 

 Tail narrow, tapering to a point. Teeth eoiiiciil and in a IkukI, tapering towai'fls 

 the angle of the moutli, with a similar band on the palate. Greenish, sometimis 

 spotted, or else the body nearly black. This species is esteemed for food. 



Burma, in fresh and brackish water. 



Family Mursenidse. 

 Body elongated. The humeral arch not attached to the skull. 



A. Branchial opeiiitiffs in the pharynx, wide slits. 



Angtjilla, Cuvier. 



Upper jaw not projecting. Tongue fi'ee. Teeth small and in bands. Dorsal 

 fin commences at some distance behind the nape. Scales small, imbedded. 



A. Benoalensis, Gray and Hardw. 



B. xii. ; D. 250-305 ; P. 18 ; A. 220-250 ; C. 10-12. 



Lower jaw prominent. Lips well developed. The manilibular teeth divided by 

 a longitudinal groove. Brownish above, yellowish below. Sometimes the upper 

 surface is covered with black spots and blotches. Anal with a dark marginal baud 

 and a liglit outer edging. Grows to over 4 feet. 



Burma and the Andamans, where it is common. 



Buchanan remarks : " It is an irritable creature, swelling its head whenever 

 angered, and constantly, when it can, buries itself in putrescent carcases." 



A. BicoioE, MacCleUand. 

 Jee-tah-dah. Andamans. 



B. xii. ; D. 220-245; P. 18; A. 200-220; C. 1012. 



Jaws nearly equal. Lips thick. Dark olive above, yellowish below. 

 The Andamans. 



Mdrjsnesox, Mac Clclland. 



Gill openings wide, approximating to the belly. The upper jaw tlie longer. 

 Two pair of nostrils, tlie posterior of which are opposite the upper part or centre of 

 the orbit. Teeth fine, with some canines anteriorly. Scales none. 



M. cixEBEn.s, Forsk. 



Conger hagio, Ham. Buck. 



B. xx.-xxii. ; P. 14-16; D. 230-270 ; A. 190-220; C. 10. 



Vomerine teeth large, with a basal lobe. The external mandibular row of teetli 

 not directed outwards. Silvery. Beneath white. Pins yellowish, black-edged. 



M. TELABON, CuV. 



B. xvii.-xix. ; P. 15-16; D. 270-285; A. 195-210; C. 10. 



Vomerine teeth large, without a basal lobe. Mandibular teeth smaller than the 

 vomerine, and none directed outwards. Back and head olive, brown posteriorly. 

 Belly white, silvery below. Grows to 10 feet. 



The Burmese name, says Mason, signifies " the fish that comes on hoard the ship," 

 as they are occasionally washed upon the deck. 



MuB^NiCHTHYS, BkcJcer. 



Eyes small. Nostrils on the edge of the upper jaw. Tongue not free. No 

 scales. 



