358 Bulletin 4J, United States National Museum. 



also by the Blale at station 264, in 84 fathoms. (Goode & Bean.) 

 (flavus, yellow.) 



Congenmir^iia flam, GooPE & Bean, Oceauir Ichthyology, 138, fig. 1.19, 1895, Gulf Stream. 

 (Type, No. 44612. Coll. Albatross.) 



157. UROCONGER, Kaup. 



Urocov(ii'r, Katip, Apotles, 110, 1S,54, {hptiirns). 



Mouth very large, its cleft passing middle of eye ; vomerine teeth nni- 

 serial, some of them canine-like; teeth in jaws in two series. Tail long, 

 slender, whip-like. Dorsal inserted above pectoral. Species few. (o'nfid, 

 tail ; Conger.) 



587. UROCONGER VICINUS, Vaillant. 



Depth 20 in length. Vomer with two strong teeth anteriorly. Space 

 separating gill openings considerably greater than their diameter. 

 (Goode &. Bean.) Deep watersoff coast of northern Africa; a young indi- 

 vidual taken by the Albatross at station 2161 in 146 fathoms, {vicinus, 

 near, i. e. to Uroconger lepturus.) 



J'rocntuier viciniii-, Vaii.lant, Exped. Travailleur et Talisman, 86, pi. VI., fig. 1, 1888, Banc 

 d'Arguin, off Soudan, off Cape Verde Islands; Goode & Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, 

 1.38, 1895. 



Family XLVIII. MUR^NESOCID^. 



Scaleless anguilloid eels, with the posterior nostril not labial, the 

 tongue largely adnate, the jaws not excessively elongate, the end of the 

 tail surrounded by the caudal fin, and the pectoral fins well developed. 

 None of these characters appear to have in themselves great importance, 

 but according to Dr. Gill, in the genus Miu-wnesor, the only genus in 

 which the osteology is well known, the characters ai'e such as fully to 

 justify family distinction. Dr. Gill gives the following diagnosis of 

 Mursenesocidie : 



" Enchelycephalous Apodals with the tongue not free, the branchioste- 

 gal membrane connecting the opposite sides below, the epipharyngeals 

 reduced to one pair, and the hypopharyngeals linguiform and encroach- 

 ing on the fourth branchial arch." 



To this should be added: Gill openings rather wide; pectoral fins well 

 developed ; jaws of moderate length ; vomer well armed. 



Whether all these characters are found in the other genera commonly 

 associated with Muramesox is not yet known. The family, as understood 

 by us, seems divisible into two well-marked groups, which are, perhaps, 

 as distinct from each other as from the Echelida' or the Congridiv. The 

 species of this family are not very numerous, and a large proportion are 

 American. In general appearance and habits they approach the Con- 

 gers. All are plainly colored and some descend to rather deep water. 

 (Murwnida', Miirwnesocinw, Giinther, Cat., viii, 45-49.) 



MUR^INE.'OCINa;: 



a. Dorsal and anal fins well devoloiied throughout, the uorsal beginning nearly above gill 

 opening; snout moderately produced; vomerine teeth very strong. 

 b. Teeth in jaws in several series ; gill openings wide. 



