ANOUILLID^. 37 



72. AnGUTLLA ANCIDDA, fig. Q2. 



Anguilla ancidJa, Kaup. 



This is very likely a marine eel. Two specimens of it were sent 

 by Bibron from Sicily. It resembles A. morena ; but lias larger 

 lips. The centre of the eye is directly over the corner of the 

 mouth. In the development of the lips the species agrees with 

 A. mclanochlr. Bodj' olive-green, with innumerable black points 

 along the scales and on the skinny intervals. Belly smoky white. 

 A more or less distinct longitudinal yellow stripe traverses the 

 belly and anal fin. Pectoral, of a single tint outside ; dotted on the 

 side next the body. The black bar over the gill-plate is wanting. 

 Lateral line showing in relief. 



Total length, 16-13 in. Length of tail, 00 in. To the corner 

 of the mouth, 0-59 in. To the pectoral, 221 in. To the dorsal, 

 5'04 in. Height of the body near the pectoral, 083 in. Length 

 of the pectoral, 0-59 in. 



A single example, from Pergamont, is labelled with the Italian 

 name of ancidda. 



Having discussed the eels of South Europe, we proceed to the 

 northern species. 



73, Anguilla mediorostkis, fig. 23. 

 Anguilla mediorostris, Yarrell, Brit. Fish, ii., p. 301. 



In the Parisian collection I found this eel ticketed " ex Insvlis 

 Danicis," from Mr. Pilchard. What Yarrell says on this species 

 seems to me to accord exactly with it, viz. the yellowish-green 

 colour and the very flat elongated head, showing no projection of 

 the forehead in profile. Teeth, short, conical, and pointed, and not 

 so close as to admit of being compared to a card. The moderately- 

 big eye stands over the corner of the mouth, and its diameter is 

 half as long as the snout. The lips are not greatly developed, 

 and are of moderate breadth. The pectorals also are pretty short. 

 The pores of the prominent lateral line form tubular projections. 



Total length, 15-16 in. Length of the tail, 8-27 in. To the 

 corner of the mouth, 063 in. To the pectoral fin, 1-'J7 in. To 

 the dorsal fin, 5-12 in. Length of the pectoral, 0-71 in. The 

 distance from the tip of the snout to the pectoral fin (1-97 in.) is 

 comprised once and two-fifths in the distance between the pectoral 

 and dorsal (2-7G in.). 



7-4. Anguilla altieostris, ilg. 2-i. 

 Anguilla altirostris, Kaup. 



A small eel, obtained at the mouth of the Seine by M. Bosc, is 

 preserved in the Paris collection, where it is marked erroneously J. 

 inmperneauj:. It is a new species, which essentially differs from 



