190 EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



These Eels attain to a length of at least three feet, with a weight of twelve 

 or even more pounds. 



This species should be carefully compared with typical specimens of 

 A. ancJcIandii, A. amhoinensis, and A. fuIjieMsis, and, in the event of these 

 proving to be but varietal forms, A. auclclaiidi would be the oldest name. 



Genus II.— MURiENA. 



Murcena, sp. Artedi, Gen. Pise. 1738. 



Body moderately or greatly elongated. Gill-openings reduced to naiTow 

 slits. Two nostrils on each side of the upper surface of the snout, the 

 anterior tubular, the posterior a round orifice with or without a tube. Teeth 

 well developed, either acute or molariform : maxillary teeth in one or two 

 rows. Dorsal and anal fins elevated or low : pectorals absent. Scales none. 



Geographical distribution. — Seas of the temperate and tropical regions, 

 some species ascending tidal rivers. 



According to Giiuther the "number of species known exceeds eighty. 

 The majority are armed with formidable pointed teeth, well suited for 

 seizing other fish on which they prey. Large specimens thus armed readily 

 attack persons in and out of the water ; and as some species attain a length 

 of six or eight feet, they are jut^tly feared by fishermen. The minority of 

 species have obtuse and molar-like teeth, their food consisting chiefly of 

 crustaceans and other hard-shelled animals. Most of the Muraenas are 

 beautifully colored and spotted, some in a regular and constant manner, 

 whilst in others the pattern varies in a most irregular fashion ; they have 

 quite the appearance of snakes." 



In connection with the subdivision of the genus Muroena the same author 

 remarks : — " Sir John Richardson has divided the species of this genus into 

 smaller groups, distinguished by the dentition. Dr. Kaup has done nothing 

 beyond adopting these groups and attaching generic names to them. How- 

 ever, only in a comparatively small part of the species is the arrangement of 

 the teeth of systematic value, as the dentition changes to a considerable 

 extent with age. Touug examples have generally more series of teeth than 

 mature or old individuals. Especially with regard to the one, two, or three 

 large teeth, forming an inner maxillary series, it appears that normally these 

 teeth enter the outer series as the age of the individual advances. This 

 change is by no means regular, and one or two inner teeth are sometimes found 

 in examples of considerable size. Further, in some species the biserial 

 arrangment appears to be persistent through life ; in other species, which are 

 known from a few examples only, we have no means of judging of the 

 extent of change. The uni- or biserial arrangement of the vomerine teeth is 

 also subject to much variation." 



Carrington in the Zoo/o///^-/', commenting on their reputed savage disposition, 

 expresses the opinion that they do not deserve the character ; our Green Eel, 

 however, richly deserves it, as they will without hesitation attack a foot or 

 hand incautiously placed in the water in the neighborhood of their haunts. 



MUR^NA AFRA. 



Gymnothorax afer. Bloch, Ausl. Fisch. ix. p. 85, pi. ccccxvii ; Bl. Schn. p. 



526. 

 MiircEnopliis afra, Lacep. Hist. Nat. Poiss. v. p. G42. 

 Gymnothorax funehris, Ranz. Nov. Comm. Ac. So. Inst. Bonon. iv. 1840, p. 



76. 



