FISH. 145 
2. MuRENA OCELLATA. 
Gymnothorax ocellatus, Spizx et Agass. Pisces Brazil. p. 91. tab. 50 b. 
Form.—-Head but moderately compressed. Snout rather short and blunt. Jaws equal. Gape 
reaching a little beyond the posterior part of the orbit. Teeth apparently in only a single row 
above and below, very strong and sharp at the extremity of the jaws: none at the anterior part 
of the vomer, but a few very short ones not easily seen at the back part of the median line of 
the palate. Two tubular orifices at the extremity of the snout, but above the eyes only two 
simple pores not prolonged into tubes. Eyes rather large, much exceeding in size the bran- 
chial orifice ; scarcely more than one diameter between them and the end of the snout. Two 
or three large pores along the edges of both jaws. Dorsal very distinct, commencing above 
the branchial orifice. Vent a little before the middle. Tail gradually tapering to a rather 
fine point. 
Length 12 ine. 9 lines. 
Cotour.—(Jn spirits.) Head and trunk brown, with round whitish spots. Dorsal and anal spotted 
with black and white, the black spots occupying the edge of the fin. Extremity of the tail 
imperfectly banded with white and dusky brown. Belly pale. 
Habitat, Rio de Janeiro. 
This elegant and well-marked species, first discovered by Spix on the 
Brazilian coast, was taken by Mr. Darwin in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro. 
3. Murz#zna 2 
Form.—Head moderately compressed, rising considerably at the nape. Body slender, somewhat 
ensiform behind, and tapering towards the tail. Snout of moderate length. Jaws equal, 
or the upper one perhaps a very little longer than the lower. Gape reaching as far behind the 
eye, as it advances before it. Teeth partially in two rows above, in one below; sharp and 
strong at the extremity of the jaws, and on the anterior part of the vomer. Two tubular 
orifices at the extremity of the snout, but only simple pores above the eyes. Three or four 
large pores along the edges of the upper and under jaws. Eyes distant one diameter and a 
half from the end of the snout. Dorsal distinct, commencing almost on the occiput, and in 
advance of the branchial orifice. Vent before the middle. Anal commencing a little behind 
it, and, like the dorsal, distinct, but rather less so. 
li 
5 
in. 
Length < 3 6 : 4 ° = 10 
0 
Depth, fins not included : 6 : > OG 
From end of snout to branchial orifice. sale Pal 
From the same to vent : ° A 6 4 3 
Cotour.—(In spirits.) Rather dark brown, nearly uniform, but here and there with lighter mot- 
tlings. The lower jaw appears to have had a row of whitish spots encircling the pores. 
The species of Murena above described was taken by Mr. Darwin at Porto 
Praya, Cape de Verds. The individual being small, and possibly not having 
attained its permanent characters, I have forborne giving it any name, though 
I have not been able to identify it in the works of authors. 
U 
