OPIIISURID^. 11 



outer row more widel}' set, larger, and reaching from the sympliysis 

 to the angle of the moutli ; tlie inner row resembling the interior 

 palatine one; but conlined to the fore-quarter of the mandible, and 

 terminating opposite to the commencement of the outer palatine 

 row. The jaws are narrow, and are capable of lateral expansion, 

 like those of O. iiitertiiulus, and, though iu a less degree, like those 

 of O. regius. (Richardson.) 



Senegal. A specimen in the Paris Museum has a length of 43 

 in. The British Museum possesses one, which was presented by 

 liord Derby, having been obtained on the coast of Africa by one of 

 bis collectoi's. 



18? Mystriophis pobphyrus. 



Ophisurus porphyrus, IV»i7«. a?icZ ScJil. F. Jajy. ^Q6, Piscest. 116, 

 E. 1. 



Red-brown, copper coloured above, whitish beneath, larger fins, 

 blackish edged. 



Japan. Museum, Leyden, a single specimen 3 ft. 6 in. long. 



Genus 11. MURiENOPSIS, Lesweur. 



Head oval ; snout not much elongated. Hinder nostril rather 

 on the outer side of the thin lip. Pectoral fins as long, or longer 

 than the large gape, which has a straight commissure. All the 

 teeth of equal length. 



19. MUR^NOPSIS OCELLATA. 



Ophisurus ocellatus. Rich., Ereb. d Terr. p. 104. 



Murseuopsis ocellata, Lesueur, Journ. Ac. Sc. of Phil. v. pi. 4, 



f. 3. 

 Ophisurus remiger, D'Orbign., Voij. dans la Mer d'Am. pi. xij. f. 2. 



Ground colour yellowish-brown, with a darker, spotted head. A 

 fine, white, porous line intersects the occiput, makes a sudden rect- 

 angular flexure forwards over the temples, and runs down to the 

 corner of the mouth. Belly whitish. There are from 19 to 21 

 milk-white spots on the lateral line, of the size of peas. Two nar- 

 row marks are placed near the occiput, and a row of white spots 

 extends to the pectoral. A pale brown longitudinal stripe runs 

 near to the anal fin, and a white, dotted, horse-shoe-shaped mark 

 occurs between the eyes. The tail is a little longer than the body, 

 and near its end the dorsal and anal fins become higher. The 

 dorsal has a black border. In an aged specimen [O. remiger), the 

 lateral white spots arc almost obliterated, traces only of them re- 

 mainiuii. 



