MUR.ENID^. 59 



a third tall tooth is present on the mesial line of the nasal disk; 

 and, from the specimen being dried, the alternate arrangement of 

 the vomerine teeth is perceptible, though they appear, on a cursory 

 examination, to be in one series. Some of the spots or bars descend 

 over the belly; and there are traces of six or seven black streaks 

 on each side of the throat. Length, 443 in. To anus, 93 in. To 

 gill-opening, 6"4 in. 



Seas of Australia. The Mauritius. 



111. MUE^NA SCHISMATORUYNCHA. 



Muraena schismatorhyucha, Bleeker, Dlagn. Beschr. 



Nasal bone, twice as long as it is broad, with 12-14 teeth, 

 whereof 3 or 4, standing on the mesial line, are longer than the 

 marginal ones. Palatine teeth, 27, uusymmetrically long and short. 

 Vomeriues, 13, conical. Mandibulars, 18, on each limb of the 

 bone. Dorsal commencing before the gill-opening. Anal iin, em- 

 bracing four-sevenths of the length of the fish. Colour, reddish- 

 brown ; the fins blackish, with yellowish borders. The jaws do 

 not touch in the middle of the rictus. 



Hays: Br. 12; D. 345; A. 200; C. 10. 

 Bencoolen. Sumatra (Bleeker). 



112. MUEiENA SAGENEDOTA. 



Mursena sagenedota, Rich., Ereh. S Terr. p. 81. 



The only example of this species which we have seen is a dried 

 one in the British Museum, which was prepared by Dr. Janvier at 

 the Mauritius. 



There is considerable resemblance between it and M. nuhila ; 

 but it appears to have a thicker body, particularly about the thi'oat, 

 while the vent is a little farther forward. The uniserial teeth are 

 comparatively stouter, with less acute edges, and stand in a closer 

 series both anteriorly and posteriorly. The highest on the edge of 

 the upper jaw are the posterior nasal ones and adjoining palatines, 

 whence they decrease gradually in both directions. Many of them 

 have a minute notch near the middle of the anterior edge ; and 

 most have a conspicuous posterior basal lobe. There are about 19 

 between the symphysis and corner of the mouth on the upper jaw, 

 and a corresponding number below, there being no small inter- 

 mediate ones on the fore part of either jaw. The mesial teeth on 

 the nasal disk are entirely absent in the specimen ; and the disk 

 itself is rather long and concave, without any pits. The vomerine 

 teeth are minute, and do not exceed 3 in number. Eye moderate- 

 sized, and rather before the middle of the gape of the mouth. 

 Dorsal commencing about half-way between the corner of the 

 mouth and the gill-opening. Anus as nearly as possible in the 



