]08 CATALOGUE OF FISH. 



snout, which is equalled in length by the mandible. Lateral line 

 distinct, undulated in its course. Anal fin begninmg directly be- 

 hind the anus. Fin3 very short and low, and conspicuous at the tip 

 of the tail only. 



Length, 1004 in. Length of tail, 3-78 in. 



India (British Museum, from General Hardwicke). 



Family III.-CONGERID.E. 



The members of this family possess a dorsal which commences 

 close to the occiput, a naked skin, destitute of scales, and for the 

 most part a longisli, pointed, projecting snout. Some have, others 

 want, the pectoral fins. 



Gkkus 42. CONGERMURiENA, Kaup. 



Posterior nostril, an oblong opening, situated longitudinally near 

 the large eye, which is placed over the angle of the mouth. Teeth 

 flatly rounded in numerous rows. 



J 'JO. Coxgerjiurj::na habenata, fig. 72. 



Congrus habenatus, Eichardson, Ereh. S Terr. p. 109, pi. .50, f. 1-&. 



This species differs from the preceding ones in its dentition, the 

 teeth on the roof of the mouth being fitted for crushing or grinding 

 the food. 



Body thicker than the head, nearly cylindrical, its height ex- 

 ceeding its transverse diameter only by one-fifth, the compres- 

 sion augmenting rapidly between the anus and tip of the tail. 

 The muscular tlakes are very visible through the smooth, shining, 

 silvery skin ; and the lateral line, gradually descending from 

 the nape to the middle height, which it attains some way behind 

 the anus, is marked out by a series of pores, commencing at the 

 occiput. A depression, descending from the occiput, separates 

 tlie muscles of the cheek from the gill-cover. The eye is large, 

 encroaches on the profile, and is contained rather less than four times 

 and a half in the distance between the end of the snout and the 

 gill-opening. The space between the eyes is less than the vertical 

 diameter of the eye-ball. Snout rather broad and obtuse. A mesial 

 fold of loose skin, uniting with the upper lip, gives a bridled ap- 

 pearance to the snout. The posterior nostril is open, and is situated 

 just before the eye; the anterior one is a short tube, i)laced on one 

 aide of the tip of the snout. The under jaw is shorter than the 

 upper one, and the gape of the mouth is cleft to beneath the centre 

 of the eye. The upper lip, commencing just behind the tubular 



