10 R. COLLETT. M.-N. Kl. 
Colouration varies according to age. Quite young individuals, spotless. 
Somewhat older, greyish-brown above, with irregular brownish-black cross 
patches and shadings over the back and tail; the underside whitish yellow 
(not spotted); a blackish stripe between the eye and end of snout. In 
the older and fully coloured, a uniform yellowish-brown colour with 
indistinct shading down the sides, but without-spots. 
Scale Covering only complete in old individuals; some scales likewise 
scattered on the dorsal and anal fins. The neck, head and pectorals bare. 
Lateral line ventral, incomplete. 
Teeth in the jaws, on the palatine bone, and on the vomer. 
VL. 0- 
Length: the largest specimen 184 mm. 
Fin Formula: D. about 116 (+ C. 7); A. about 110 (+ C. 7); 
P. 15—16. 
Description. 
Structure of the Body. 
The body elongated (though less than in L. muraena). 
The length of the head is contained in that of the body a trifle 
under 6 times; in somewhat larger individuals, between 6 and 7 times; 
in some of the largest, inconsiderably over 7 times. 
The head thus appears to be comparatively shorter when compared 
with the total length as the growth of the individual increases. 
The height of the body (a little in front of the anus), is, in most 
individuals, contained 12 to 14 times in the length of the body; in some 
older specimens 15 to 16 times. 
The distance from the end of the snout to the dorsal is, as a rule, 
contained from 4 to 4/2 times in the total length; in some younger 
individuals, somewhat less than 4 times. 
The distance of anus from the end of the snout, in the younger 
individuals, is contained from 3 to 3.2 times in the total length; in older 
individuals somewhat more, viz., from 3.4 to 3.6, and in one specimen 
even 3.7 times. 
Thus the true body (the body in front of the anus, with head), is 
comparatively somewhat longer with age; the anus is, however, always 
situated far ahead of the centre of the total length. 
In the older individuals the jaws appear to be proportionately longer 
than in the younger, without however extending further back than to the 
front margin of orbita. 
