66 FISHES OF NEW ZEALAND. 



105. CONGER VULGARIS. Cuv. CM. 



Conger Eel. 

 C. vulgaris, Giinth., YIII., 38. 



The dorsal fin begins a little l)eliind tlie extremity of the pectorals ; 

 posterior nostril on a level with the upper margin of the eye ; jaws 

 nearly even in front ; tail longer than the body in the proportion of 

 three to two. 



Sometimes dark grey above and paler below, sometimes pale brown 

 above, largely mottled with white, below white ; fins dark grey, 

 immaculate. 



Sometimes attains a weight of 35 lbs., and a length of 6 feet. 



Common. Europe, St. Helena, South America, Indian Archipelago, 

 Japan, Tasmania. 



CONGROMUR^NA. 



Nostrils lateral ; cleft of the mouth narrow, not extending beyond 

 the middle of the eye ; all the teeth small and fine, not forming a cutting 

 edge ; vomerine band nai-row, long ; dorsal commencing nearly above tlie 

 gill openings ; posterior nostril opposite to the middle of the eye. 



Tropical and subtropical seas. 



106. CONGROMUR^NA HABENTATA. Rich. CM. 



Silver Eel. 



Congrus Imbentaius, Rich., p. 109, pi. 50. Giinth., YIII., 42. 



Upper jaw much projecting beyond the lower ; doi-sal commencing 



immediately behind the base of the pectoral ; tail longer than the body 



in the proportion of three to two. 



Above pale greyish, below silveiy white ; vertical fins naiTowly 

 margined with black ; ii-is white. 

 St. Paul's Island. 



Ophichthys. 

 Nostrils labial ; tongue not free ; extremity of the tail free ; teeth on 

 the vomer as well as in the jaws. 



107. OPHICHTHYS SERPENS. L. CM. 



Ophisurus novce zelandioi, Hect. Ophisurus serpens, Rich., p. 106. 

 Ophichthys serpens, Giinth., VIII., Q>o. 



Length of the head contained four times in the distance between the 

 gill oi>enings and the vent ; snout pi'oduccd ; cleft of mouth wide, half 



