80 MUfi^NIDiE. 



the head ; dorsal commencing at some distance behind the pectoral ; 

 dorsal and, especially, anal Jtns elevated, the latter being as deep as 

 the body. 



Bandjermassing. 



a. Typical specimen. From Dr. Bleeker's Collection. 



B. Pectoral developed : dorsal cotmnencinff in advance of the giU-opeiiing. 



52. Ophichthys semicinctus. 

 Ophisurus semicinctus, Richards. Voy. JEreb. Sf Terr. Fish. p. 99. 



Body and tail with sixteen or seventeen broad black cross bands, 

 broader than the interspaces between them, and not extending across 

 the abdomen. Head with numerous small brownish-black spots. 

 The length of the head is contained twice and two-thirds in the 

 distance of the gill-opening from the vent, that of the body once 

 and one-third or once and one-fourth in that of the tail. Snout 

 of moderate length, depressed, rather obtuse. Cleft of the mouth 

 rather wide, extending behind the eye, which is small and situated 

 in the anterior third of the length of the head. Teeth granular, 

 forming broadish bands, narrower in young examples. Length of 

 the pectoral fin two-sevenths of that of the head ; dorsal commencing 

 somewhat in advance of the gill-opening, and, like the anal, well 

 developed. 



West Africa. 

 a. Type of the species, 29 inches long. West Africa. Presented by 



the Royal College of Surgeons. 

 h, c, d. Adult. West Africa. 

 e. Adult: stuffed. West Africa. Presented by the late Earl of 



Derby. 

 /. Adult. River Gambia. 



g. Adult. Old Calabar. Presented by A. Murray, Esq. 

 h. Adult. Brass River. 



53. Ophichthys dromicus. 



Three series of large round brown spots along the side ; a single 

 series along the median line of the back, the spots being arranged 

 alternately. Three large spots on the upperside of the head. Body 

 very slender, its depth being about one-ninetieth of the total length. 

 The length of the head is one-sixth of the distance of the gill-opening 

 from the vent ; tail longer than the body. Snout of moderate length, 

 slightly compressed, rather pointed. Cleft of the mouth of moderate 

 width, extending behind the eye, which is small and situated in the 

 anterior fourth of the length of the head. Teeth granular, biserial ; 

 uniserial on the side of the mandible. Pectoral fin short, but with 

 distinct rays, one-seventh of the length of the head ; dorsal com- 

 mencing behind the occiput, and, like the anal, well developed. 



West Africa. 

 a. Twenty-nine inches long. 



