2766 



THE BONY FISHES AND GANOIDS 



appendage forms the termination of the muzzle, and although the lower jaw is long, 

 it has but little power of motion. As an especial peculiarity of these fishes, we may 

 notice that in the skeleton there is no connection between the pectoral girdle and 

 the skull. The air bladder is present. The species (Mastacembelus armalus], 

 shown in the upper figure-of the accompanying illustration, is one of the Indian repre- 

 sentatives of a genus characterized by the smooth under surface of the appendage 

 of the snout, and the presence of a preorbital spine. The menibers of this genus 

 have a geographical distribution, coextensive with that of the family, being found 

 in the brackish and fresh waters of West Africa, India, Ceylon, Burma, and the 

 Malayan region. On the other hand, the genus Rhynchobdella, characterized by 

 the striation of the lower surface of the nasal appendage, and the lack of a spine in 



INDIAN SPINY EEL. 



(One-third natural size.) 



BAIKAL Oil. FISH. 



(One-half natural size.) 



front of the eye, is confined to India and Burma, where it is represented by R. aat- 

 leata, which grows to a length of about fifteen inches, and is found in the deltas of 

 all the larger rivers, generally preferring muddy pools. The figured species is, 

 however, of larger size, reaching a couple of feet in length. The flesh of all the 

 spiny eels is stated to be of excellent quality for the table. 



The fish represented in the lower portion of the above illustra- 

 tion, known as the Baikal oil fish (Comephorus baikalensis) , is the only 

 representative of a genus in regard to the systematic position of which there is con- 

 siderable doubt; Dr. Giinther regarding it as indicating a distinct family which he 

 at one time placed in the neighborhood of the oblique-spined blenny, and afterward 

 near the flying gurnards. In this fish the body is elongate and naked, the head 



Oil Fish 



