FISHES. 
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teeth rasp-like ; branchial membrane with five rays; body and 
head provided with large scales; those on the venter placed 
irregularly; sides beset with larger, somewhat inflated scales. 
Ophicephalus punctatus. —The Punctated Ophicephalus. 
Plate LXXIX. fig. 9. 
Brownish-black above, paler beneath; with numerous black 
dots; dorsal and abdominal fins long. Ten inches long. In¬ 
habits the lakes in India. 
ORDER VIII. 
MALACOPTERYGII APODES. 
Body lengthened, with a thick skin, and having no ventral 
fins. 
Gerius 1.—ANGUILLA.— Cuvier. 
Generic Character. — With lateral branchial openings placed 
beneath the pectoral fins ; body elongated, round, and smooth ; 
dorsal and anal fins united, and forming a pointed caudal fin. 
Genus 2. —CONGER. — Cuvier. 
Generic Character. —Upper jaw projecting beyond the under 
one; dorsal fin rising near the pectoral fins, or above them. 
Conger vulgaris. — The Conger. Eel. 
Plate LXXIX. fig. 10. 
Blackish-brown above, and silvery-white beneath ; dorsal and 
anal fins having black edges. Six feet long. Inhabits the 
Northern seas. 
Genus 3.—O PHIS UR US.— Lacepede. 
Generic Character _Head small, with tubular nostrils ; body 
and tail cylindrical, and greatly elongated ; anal and dorsal fins 
long; destitute of caudal fins. 
Genus 4.—MU RAIN A.— Thunh. 
Generic Character .—Nostrils tubular; branchiae opening by 
2 e 3 
