MURiENIDJi. 55 



Family II. MUK^NID^. 



For tlie most part of large size, destitute of pectorals, and hav- 

 ing lateral slits for gill-openings. 



Sub-Family I. MUK^NIN^. 

 Uniserial teeth on almost all the dentiferous hones of the mouth. 



Genus 26. MUR.ENA. L. 

 Uniserial teeth on the nasal bone ; 3 on the mesial line, 



a. Uniserial vomerine teeth. 

 1. Posterior nostrils shortly tubular. 



108. MuEiENA HELENA. 



Muraena helena, Linn.; Bloch, t. 153; Encyd. Meth. t. 23, f. 79; 



Piich., Erch. <£• Terr. p. 80, pi. 49, f. 1-6 (Australian specimen). 

 Muroena lentiginosa, Jenyns, Beagle, p. 143. 

 Muraena punctata, Castelneau, pi. 42, f. 3. 



A species which is found in everj^ sea, and is easily recognised 

 by its posterior nostrils ending in short tubes. 



Considerable variety exists in the shades of colour and in the 

 size and distinctness of the spots in different examples of this fish 

 from the same locality, much exceeding any peculiarity that could 

 be detected on a careful comparison of the Australian specimen, 

 (figured in plate 49 Ereb. lO Terr.), with several others from Malta 

 and Gibraltar. 



The teeth are subulate, more or less compressed, and very acute, 

 with thin, cutting edges towards the tip; the nasal teeth, however, 

 and the anterior mandibular ones being considerably rounded in 

 front towards the base. All are inclined backwards. The poste- 

 rior nasal and adjoining palatine tooth are the tallest of the series ; 

 and these, with some of the neighbouring ones, and also a few on 

 the mandible, have an acute notch on the posterior edge, with a 

 slight basal lobe beneath it. Nasal teeth, about 12, exclusive of 

 about 10 very short ones, alternating with them, but rather exte- 

 rior to their bases, so that the marginal nasal teeth may be consi- 

 dered as making an approach to a biserial arrangement. Three 

 teeth on the mesial line of the nasal disk, long, slender, and very 



