90 TELEOSTEI. PIITSOSTOMI. 



in size ; those in the jaws in two rows, placed a slight distance 

 apart, the inner row somewhat the larger ; vomerine teeth in 

 a single pointed row about equal in size to the inner maxillary 

 row, one of the anterior teeth is sometimes enlarged. Fins the 

 dorsal commences above the base of the pectoral, which latter 

 equals about one fourth of the length of the head. Colour 

 brownish above, becoming dull white beneath : a row of white- 

 edged glandular openings along the lateral line. Vertical fins 

 edged with black. 



Hob. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago and China. 



. 6. Genus MURJENESOX, McClelland. 

 Syn. Cynoponticus, Costa, and Brachyconger, Bleeker. 



Gill-openings wide, approximating to the abdomen. Snout 

 rather elongated, the upper jaw the longer. Two pairs of nostrils, 

 the posterior of which are opposite to the upper part or centre of 

 the orbit. Teeth in the jaws rather fine, with some canines 

 anteriorly; vomer with several rows of teeth, the middle of which 

 are large and conical or compressed. Dorsal fin commencing 

 above the gill-opening; it, the anal, caudal, and pectoral well 

 developed. Vent a long distance from the gill-opening. Scaleless. 



The comparative proportions of the parts in these fishes vary 

 considerably with age, season, and food. 

 Geographical Distribution. Tropical Seas. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



Vomerine teeth large, and without basal lobes. 1. M. talabon, p. 90. 



Vomerine teeth slender, the posterior ones with 

 basaj lobes ; the external mandibular row 

 directed outwards 2. M. talabonoides, p. 91. 



Vomerine teeth large, and having a basal lobe ; 

 external mandibular row not directed out- 

 wards 3. M. einerem, p. 91 . 



99. (1.) Mnrsenesox talabon. (Fig. 38.) 



Miiraena talabon, Cucier, Iteyne An. ed. 2, ii, p. 350, note 4. 

 Mursenesox talabon, Duy, Fish. India, p. 061, pi. clxviii, fig. 5 

 (see synon.). 



Tala-bon and Culim-ponn, Tel. ; Kotah or Kidivi-pambon, Tamil ; Thong- 

 bonto, Arracan ; Ky la nmti-hee, Chittagcng ; Nya thembau loick, Burmese. 



B. xvii-xix. P. 15-1(3. D. 270-285. C. 10. A. 195-210. 



Length of head one third of the distance between end of snout 

 and vent ; length of trunk about one fourth less than that of the 

 tail. Extent of cleft of mouth about half of length of head. Eyes 

 diameter one third of length of snout, distance apart 1 diameter. 

 Teeth on the vomer consisting of a row of moderately large, lanceo- 



