Stover's Synopsis of the Fishes of North America. 235 



GENUS II. CONGER, Cuv. 

 The dorsal fin commencing close to the pectorals or on them, and in some 

 species even before the pectorals, or at least at their base. The upper jaw is 

 longest in all the known species. 



1. Conger occidentalis, Dekay-. 



Dark olive-brown ; chin, space behind the pectorals, and all beneath, soiled white. Dor- 

 sal and anal of a deep black hue along their margins. Dorsal arising two inches behind the 

 base of the pectorals. Jaws with a single series of contiguous, equal teeth. Lateral line 

 distinct, with a series of white dots. 



P. 17. D., C, and A. 539. Length, 3 to 5 feet. 



New York, Mitchill, Dekay. 



Anguilla conger, Conger Eel, Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 300. 

 Conger occidentalis, American Conger, Dekay's Report, p. 314, pi. 53, fig. 172. 



GENUS III. MUR^ENA, Thunb. 



Have no vestige of pectorals ; their branchiaa open on each side by a small 

 hole ; their opercula are so thin, and their branchiostegal rays so slender and 

 concealed under the skin, that their existence has been denier!. The stomach 

 is a short sac, and the natatory bladder small, oval, and placed near the upper 

 part of the abdomen. 



1. Muraena moringa, Cuv. 



Black or green, sprinkled over its whole surface with innumerable black dots. 

 D. (?). A. (?). C. (<). Length, 4 feet. 

 Bahama Islands, Catesby. 



Itlurana maculala nigra et viridis, Muray, Catesdy's Hist. Carol., n. p. 20. 

 Murffina maculata nigra, Black Muray, CatBSBY'S Hist. Carol., II. p. 21. 

 Murana moringa, Griffith's Cuv., x. p. 527. 



GENUS IV. OPHIDIUM, Cuv. 

 Head smooth. Body elongated, compressed ; teeth in both jaws, the pal- 

 ate, and pharynx. Dorsal, caudal, and anal united. Gill-apertures rather 

 large. Two pairs of small barbels adhering to the point of the hyoid bone. 



1. Ophidium marginatum, Dekay. 

 Body elongated, much compressed, tapering to an acute point. Gray, with three dusky 



