ANGUILLA.] PISCES (OSSEI) MALACOPT. 



a weight of five pounds. Independently of the above external differences, 

 Mr. Yarrell has observed others " in the size and character of the bones 

 of the head and vertebrce ; those of the present species being nearly 

 as large again as the same parts of the A. acutirostris in examples of the 

 same length *." 



165. A. mediorostris, Yarr. (Snig Eel.) Snout rather 

 long, and moderately broad ; gape extending not quite to 

 a vertical line from the posterior part of the orbit : rather 

 less than one-third of the entire length before the dorsal, 

 and between one-seventh and one-eighth before the pec- 

 torals. 



A. mediorostris, Yarrell s Mss. Snig Eel, Yarr. in Jesses Glean, 

 of Nat. Hist. (2nd Series) pp. 75, & 76. 



LENGTH. The length of my specimen is nineteen inches. 



DE SCRIPT. (Form.-?) More slender and elongated in proportion to the 

 depth and thickness than either of the preceding species : depth at the 

 commencement of the dorsal fin not exceeding one-nineteenth of the 

 entire length : nape but little elevated, and nearly in the same horizontal 

 line with the profile: snout and jaws somewhat resembling those of the 

 A. acutirostris y but longer and broader than in that species, though not 

 so broad as in the A. latirostris : both jaws rounded at their extremities ; 

 the lower one longest: teeth longer and more developed than in the 

 A. acutirostris : gape more capacious, owing to the greater length of the 

 jaws ; commissure nearly, but not quite, extending to a tangent to the 

 posterior part of the orbit : the distance from the eye to the end of the 

 snout equalling full twice the diameter of the former : dorsal commencing 

 rather before one-third of the entire length ; its height about one-third of 

 the depth of the body : vent nearer the middle than in either of the two 

 former species: caudal moderately pointed at its extremity: pectorals 

 small ; the distance from the line of their insertion to the end of the 

 snout contained seven times and a half in the entire length. (Colours.) 

 Upper parts dark greenish brown, passing by a lighter olive-green to 

 yellowish white below. 



This species was first distinguished by Mr. Yarrell, who received it 

 from the river Avon in Hampshire. Said to be known there by the name 

 of Snig. Does not attain to a large size, seldom exceeding half a pound 

 in weight. Said to differ from the other eels in its habit of roving and 

 feeding during the day. Presents also some osteological peculiarities, 

 " the first five cervical vertebrae being smooth and round, and entirely 

 destitute of superior or lateral spinous processes, both of which are pos- 

 sessed by the two other species J." 



(29.) Grig Eel, Bowd. Brit. fr. wat. Fish. Draw. no. 28. LAnguille 

 Plat-Bee, Cuv. Reg. An. torn. n. p. 349. 



Being unacquainted with this species, I am unable to point out its dis- 

 tinguishing characters. According to Mrs. Bowdich, it is the smallest of 



* Proceed, of Zool. Soc. 1831. p. 133. 



t The above description having been drawn up with reference to a single specimen, the only 

 one I have had an opportunity of examining, possibly some of the characters may not. be found 

 constant in all cases. 



t Yarr. I.e. 



