MONOPTERUS. MONOPTERE. 



Generic Character. 



Co)*pus anguilliforme. || Body anguilliform. 



Nares inter oculos. Nostrils placed between the 



eyes. 

 Pinna caudalis. Fin caudal. 



JAVAN MONOPTERE. 



Monopterus Javanicus. M . nigricans, cauda peracuta. 



Monopterus with very sharp-pointed tail. 



Le Monoptere Javanois. Cepede pise. 2. p. 139. 



JL H E Monopterus Javanicus, the only animal of 

 this ge.aus hitherto discovered, is thus described by 

 the Count de la Cepede, from the manuscripts of 

 Commerson, by whom it was considered as a species 

 of Murasna, The body is serpent iform, viscous, 

 and destitute of conspicuous scales: the head thick, 

 compressed, enlarging towards the back part, and 

 terminated in front by a rounded muzzle : the gape 

 is rather wide; the upper jaw scarce projecting 

 beyond the lower ; both being furnished with short 

 close teeth, like those of a file : a row of similar 

 teeth is also situated in the inside of the mouth 

 around the palate : the base of the tongue, which is 



