66 CATALOGUE OF FISH. 



comer of the eye, and destitute of a distinct border. Nasal teeth 

 longer than the others, and 10 in number, with S minute ones 

 among them ; '2 on the mesial line. Vomerines, 0-7, very small 

 and acute. Palatine teeth, 9, the longest of them situated below 

 the eyes. Mandibular teeth, 15, the 6 anterior ones tallest; the 

 middle ones on the symphysis are, like the middle nasal ones, 

 the shortest. Dorsal fin, pretty high, commencing before the gills. 

 Colour, generally blackish, with some brown dots and markings. A 

 fine yellowish edging surrounds the tip of the tail. 



Length from tip of the snout to the anus, 8-27 in. Length of 

 tail, 9-85 in. To the corner of the mouth, 0-83 in. To the gill- 

 opening, t-81 in. 



A younger specimen, from the Isle of Bourbon, has more distinct 

 yellowish-brown spots on the body. 



From the Mauritius and Isle of Bourbon. 



121. MuRiENA NIGROLINEATA. 



Mursena nigrolineata, Katip. 



Nasal teeth, 12; on the mesial line, 3; palatines, 12, whereof 

 the first and second are small, tlie third, fourth, and fifth are the 

 longest, and the remaining ones decrease gradually towards the 

 corner of the mouth. On each limb of the mandible, 23, of which 

 the foremost 3 are the biggest." On the vomer there are traces 

 merely of 2 very small teeth. Anterior nostril-tubes projecting 

 above the lip ; small hinder nostrils, oblong, and situated above 

 the fore corner of the eye. Dorsal fin, high, commencing on the 

 occiput. 



A moderately-elongated Miirana, which resembles unicolor (No. 

 ] 64) of the group TJujrsoidea. 



The colour, which has suffered from maceration in spirits, is dark, 

 with innumerable oblique lines that run into each other, and are 

 interrupted. 



Total length, 19-29 in. Length of tail, 9-45 in. To the corner 

 of the mouth, I'lO in. To the gills, 2-36 in. 



Marquesas Islands (Paris Museum). 



122. MUE.ENA MAEMOEEA. 



Mursenophis marmoreus, Valenc. Venus, pi. 14, § 1. 



Body yellowish-brown, with black reticulations, whose longitudinal 

 branching streaks are studded with oblong yellow spots. On the 

 ventral aspect the spots are larger, rounder, and near the throat 

 coalescent. The dorsal fin is of an even height, begins behind the 

 head, and is yellowish-brown, with black spots. Teeth, 10 on the 

 border of the nasal bone, 3 on the mesial line; 13 palatines; 10 

 vomerines; and 18 mandibulars. 



A stuffed specimen obtained by Fremenvillc, on the expedition 



