253 



teeth. No scales. Lateral line present. Gillopenings rather wide, 

 beginning opposite to the upper margin of the base of the 



Fig. 103. Muraenesox talabon (Cantor). X 5 /8- 



pectorals and separated from each other by a narrow interspace. 

 Distribution: Found in all warm seas. 



Key to the indo-australian species 

 of Muraenesox. 



1. Outer row of the teeth in the mandibles not directed 

 outwards. Median canines of vomer with distinct ante- 

 rior and posterior basal lobes M. cinereus p. 253. 



2. Outer row of teeth in the mandibles directed outwards. 

 Median canines of vomer at most with an indication 

 only of basal lobes. 



a. Pectorals about 3 in head M, talabon p. 255. 



l>. Pectorals 4 or more in head M. talabonoides p. 256. 



i. Muraenesox cinereus (Forsk.). 



Muraena cinerea Forskal, Descript. animal. 1775, pp. X, 22. 



Muraena arabica Bloch, Schneider, Syst. Ichth. 1801, p. 488. 



Muraena bagio Hamilton Buchanan, Fish. Ganges 1822, p. 364. 



Conger longirostris Bennett, Life of Raffles, 1830, p. 692. 



? Conger oxyrhynchus Eydoux & Souleyet, Voy. Bonite, 1841, I. p. 203. 



Muraenesox tricuspidata McClelland, Calcutta Journ. Nat. Hist. IV. 1844, p. 409. 



Muraenesox hamiltoni McClelland, Ibid. V. 1845, p. 182. 



Mitraenesox bengalensis McClelland, Ibid. V. 1845, p. 182, 210. 



