MUR^NA. FISHES. 433 



back with, brown spots of an indeterminate form; lateral line com- 

 posed of white points and round brown spots. 3 feet long. In- 

 habits Indian seas. Shaw, iv. pi. 2. 



O. colubrinus, Cuv. Body long and slender, pale or yellowish white, 

 with alternate yellow and black bands ; pectoral fins very small. 

 2 feet long. Inhabits Indian seas. Shaw, iv. 33. 



Gen. 4. MURJJNA, Thunb. Gymno&orax, Bloch. Murceno- 



phis, Lacep. 



Pectoral fins wanting ; nostrils tubular ; branchiae opening by 

 small lateral holes ; branchial rays scarcely perceptible. 



M. Helena, Lin. Body elongated, dusky greenish brown, with 

 dull yellow irregular marks or patches ; mouth large, with sharp 

 teeth ; dorsal and anal fins shallow, and united at the tail. Up- 

 wards of 3 feet long. Inhabits Mediterranean sea. Shaw, iv. pi. 2. 

 These fishes were held in high estimation by the ancient Romans ; and ponds were 

 formed on the coast for the purpose of feeding them. In these receptacles they be- 

 came so tame as to come at the call of their masters ; and history records, that a 

 noble Roman went into mourning for the death of a favourite Muraena. Vedius 

 Pollio made the slaves who offended him be thrown into the ponds as food for his 

 Muraense. 



M. reticulata, Shaw. Body whitish, with a tinge of yellow, and 

 marked throughout by transverse brown bands ; sides reticulated 

 with brown, and dorsal fin as long as the body. Inhabits Indian 

 seas. Block, pi. 416. 



M. Africana, Shaw. (G.qfer, Bloch.) Body brown, compressed, 

 marbled with whitish variegations; dorsal fin as long as the body; 

 mouth wide and armed with sharp teeth bent backwards, those 

 before largest. Inhabits African seas. Bloch, pi. 417- 



M. Meleagris, Shaw. Body deep brown, very thickly marked with 

 small round white spots, confluent on the head j teeth sharp. 2 

 feet long. Inhabits Southern ocean. Shaw, iv. 32. 



M. catenala, Shaw. Body brown, crossed by chain-like white bands, 

 and marked by numerous brown spots and freckles ; teeth obtuse. 

 Size of a small eel. Inhabits Surinam Shaw, iv. pi. 3. 



M. unicolor, Cuv. Body deep reddish brown ; back elevated ; fins 

 bordered with yellow ; teeth obtuse. 24 to 30 inches long. In- 

 habits Mediterranean sea. An, Mus. xiii. pi. 25, fig. 15. 



M. zebra, Shaw. Body blackish brown, with transverse linear dis- 

 tant white bands, meeting irregularly beneath ; no perceptible 

 dorsal or anal fins. 2 to 3 feet long. Inhabits American Seas. 

 Shaw, Nat. Mis. pi. 322. 



M. Lacepede names Gymnomurena the species with obtuse teeth, and without 

 perceptible fins ; and one of them which exudes much mucous matter he places in a 

 genus termed Murcenoblenna. 



Gen. 5. SPHAGEBRANCHUS, Bloch. 



Head terminating in a point ; branchial openings approaching, 

 and under the throat. 

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