280 JsrilMA, ITS PEOPLE AM) I'liODUCTIOXS. 



d. Teeth obtiite or molariform. 

 M. ZEBit\, Shaw. 



Teeth consist of bands of ohtiisc mohirs. A rich dark brown, with from 30 to 

 100 naiTow white or yellow rings, sometimes incomplete. 

 The Andamans. 



GYirxoirriuEXA, Laceptde. 



Two pair of nostrils on the nppor surface of the snout. Teeth small, pointed, 

 and numerous. Fins none, save a rudimentary one round the end of the tail. Scales 

 none. 



G. 3IAKM0EATA, LaCcp. 



Anterior nasal tubes short, the posterior nostrils with a raised edge. Teeth in 

 a band in either jaw, the inner row the larger. On the vomer, in a single row, the 

 anterior two enlarged and aciciilar. Brownish grey, marbled with arborescent darli 

 lines. Sometimes the fins are yellow. 



The Andamans. 



G. TiGBiNA, Lesson. 



No distinct canines. The anterior teeth in two rows. Brownish, with many 

 iiTegular black spots and blotches. Grows to 4 feet. 



The Andamans. 



The ahoxe are but a few of the ' eels ' and ' congers ' found in the Indian seas 

 and undoubtedly ranging to Burma, as no fewer than 39 are enumerated in Day's 

 work. There is some prejudice against them as food, else they would be of impor- 

 tance, as some of them attain to 10 or 12 feet in length, and are well adapted for 

 salting, when the removal of fiscal obstructions shall have rendered the preparation of 

 salt fish a possibility with the Indian fisherman, and the poorer classes thereby 

 placed eveiywhere in possession of a hitherto unattainable article of diet. What 

 is required on grounds of public welfare is not any farther lowering of the price 

 of salt in general, or such a concession to fishermen alone as will both tempt and 

 permit them to ' salt ' their surplus stock. 



Order LOPHOBRAXCHII. 



Fishes having a dermal segmented skeleton, with the opercular bones reduced to 

 a single plate. Gills rounded tufts attached to the branchial arches. Snout produced. 

 Mouth terminal and small. Teeth none. 



Family Syngnatliidae. 



Gill openings small, round, and situated at the postero superior angle of the gill 

 cover. A single dorsal fin. 



A. Tail not prehensile. 

 a. Humeral hones united. Male with egg-pouch on the tail. A caudal Jin. 

 STXGX.iTHCs, Artedi. 



Body ridged. Dorsal and caudal edges not continuous. Eggs carried and 

 hatched by the male, and covered by cutaneous folds. The eyes arc capable of 

 independent motion, as in Chamoeleo, producing a most grotesque appearance. 



S. SPIRIFEK, Riipp. 



Ea-dee-dah, or Lek-atha-dah. Andamans. "Turtle's tail." 



A bony ridge crosses the opercle. A ridge from the snout to the nape. Ventral 

 edge very prominent. The dorsal is situated on the first 5 rings of the tail. 

 Anal rays minute. Divisions between the rings little apparent. Light brownish. 



