102 CATALOGUE OF FISH. 



Gape small ; margin of the posterior nostril tumid, the anterior 

 nostril being, as usual, tubular ; body much compressed; and the 

 anus situated about the thirty-lifth part of the whole length before 

 the middle of the fish. 



Length, 9-35 in. To anus, 4-41 in. To gill-opening, 1-15 in. 



Place of capture unknown. [Richardson.) 



/3. Species more of one colour. 



177. PoECiLOPHis Pelt, fig. 68. 



Poecilophis Peli, Kanp. 



Head short and blunt; the small hinder nostril-tubes bordered 

 with white. Two pores above the short front nasal tubes ; five on 

 the upper jaw, and six on the mandiltular lip, all placed in while 

 disks. Tail shorter than the rest of tlie fish, or as long as the 

 distance from the corner of the mouth to the anus. Colour 

 blackish, with innumerable yellowish-brown freckles on the dorsal 

 fin and along the back. A black, interrupted longitudinal stripe on 

 the dorsal, together with rows of yellowish points. 



Nasal teeth 13, 3 smaller ones interposed among the hinder 3. 

 On the mesial line 3, the last of them the thickest. Vomerines 

 disposed in two rows, which join the mesial and nnsal ones. The 

 rudimentary palatine bone armed with two irregular rows of some- 

 what pointed and more elongated teeth. Mandibulars Ifi ; 9-11 

 on the fore half on the outside. 



Gold Coast of Africa (Leyden Museum. From M. Pel). 



1 78. Poecilophis delicatulos. 

 Poecilophis delicatulus, Kaiip. 



Nasal teeth 13, in a half circle; 3 on the mesial line. Vome- 

 rine teeth large and compressed laterally, in two rows, 8 on the 

 left, 6 on the right side. Palatine teeth, 14 shorter ones in 

 the outer row, 10 larger ones in the inner row. Mandibular teeth, 

 14 in a lateral row, and 11 forming an exterior anteriorly. Ground- 

 colour black, with extremely fine and irregular reticulations. 



Total length, 7-87 in. Length of tail, 3-74 in. 



Moluccas (Leyden Museum). 



179. Poecilophis fascigdla. 



Mursena fascigula, Peters. 



Nasal teeth, one row in front, two laterally, conical. Palatines bise- 

 rial, smaller, and more obtuse. Vomerines, one row in front consist- 

 ing of conical teeth; behind, rounder: at the commencement the vo- 



