21. Ol'UICUTUYS. 89 



about midway between the gill-opciiing aud angle of the mouth. 

 Coloration uniform. 

 Habitat ? 



a-c. Twenty-one inches long. — These specimens were named S. 

 bicohr by Dr. Kauj), but are evidently different from the type 

 of that species, which is in the Leyden Museum. 



74. Ophichthys kirkii. 



The length of the head is une-eighth or one-ninth of the distance 

 between the gill-opening and vent ; tail somewhat longer than the 

 body. Cleft of the mouth of moderate width, extendifig to some 

 distance behind the eye, ■\vliich is small, situated above the middle 

 of the mouth. Snout pointed, about twice as long as the eye, pro- 

 jecting beyond the mouth. Anterior nostril with a small tube, 

 posterior on the inner side of the lip, below the front margin of 

 the eye. Teeth pointed, uniserial. Pectoral fin none ; the dorsal is 

 rather low, and commences about midway between the giU-opening 

 and the angle of the mouth. Coloration unifonn. 



Kovuma Eay (East Africa). 



tt, b. Several specimens (14 inches long). Presented by Dr. Kirk. 



D. Dorsal and anal fins absent. 

 75. Ophichthys quadratus. 



Sphagebranchus quadratus, Richards. Vuij. Sidjyh. Mt<h. p. 115, 

 pi. 52. figs. 8-15. 



Tail tetrahedral, not rounded. Fins none. The length of the 

 head is one-seventh of the distance between the giU-opening and 

 vent. Cleft of the mouth of moderate width, the eye lieiiig situated 

 above its middle. Snout projecting far beyond the mouth. Teeth 

 uniserial, those on the vomer pai-tly biserial. 



China. 



a. Type of the species, G| inches long, not in good state. From the 

 Collection of Vice-Admiral Sir E. Belcher. 



70. Ophichthys cfficus. 



Murajna ca;ca, L. S;/sf. Kat. i. p. 42G. 



Sphagebraucluis ccecua, Bl. Schn. p. 505. 



Ca'cilia brauderiana, Lacep. ii. p. 135. 



Apterichthys ctecus, ( Dumeril) De la Roche, Ann. Mus. xiii. p. 325. 



fig. 6. 

 Sphagebranchus spallanzani, Costa, Fatm. Nap. Pcsc. tav. 32. fig. 1. 



Body elongate, slender ; tail longer than the body. Fins none. 

 Snoiit acutely pointed, with the upper jaw ]>rojecting much beyond 

 tlie lower. Eyes not externally visible, (iill-i)penings ventral, ap- 

 proximate. Teeth of the jaws uniserial. Coloration reddish, with 

 dark dots. (Dc In Roche.) 



Mediterranean. • 



