240 
the base and membranous. The caudal is semitransparent and 
contains generally 5 very minute, undivided rays, rarely 3, 
6 or 7; — in the largest individuals they frequently cannot be 
traced. The dorsal fin commenees alittle in front of the root 
of the tail, and is generally a little higher than the anal. 
The latter commenees immediately behind the anus, and its 
extent is consequently a little less than that of the dorsal. 
In the mouths of the Ganges, as far as the influence of 
the tides extends, this eel is very numerous during the hot 
and the rainy seasons. It disappears from the month of No-. 
vember till about May. In Calcutta, individuals exceeding Î4 
inches in length, are very difficult to obtain. The natives of 
Bengal consider this eel a species of Amphipnoiüis, and they 
denominate it: „noona cuchta,”’ i. e. the saltwater cuchia, to 
distinguish it from the common cuchia (Amphipnoüs cuchia), 
which inhabits fresh water (Ankapilly lake, rivers and ponds 
of Bengal, Assam and the Punjaub). The latter is a favourite 
article of food with the natives of Bengal. Not so, however, 
Symbranchus immaculatus, which is eaten but by the lowest 
castes. In atmospheric air, it is capable of living for about 
24 hours, but, if placed in fresh water, it soon expires. Out 
of the element its habits are sluggish. Its food is chiefly crus- 
tacea. In several dissected, the stomach contained remains 
of shrimps. 
The heart is very small, enclosed in a loose pericardium, the 
length of which is nearly double that of the heart, or about 
1/, of the length of the head. The heart, is situated at a dis- 
tance behind the gill opening, nearly equalling the length of 
head. The pericardium extends nearly to the termination of 
the anterior fourth of the total length. The entire length of the 
digestive canal is little less than 2/, of the total length. The’ 
oesophagus and the stomach considerably exceed one half of 
the entire digestive canal. The coats of the stomach are thic- 
kened towards the pylorie valve, from whence the intestines 
