30i 



or slightly behind extremity of pectorals. Dorsal and anal not 

 confluent, ending at a short distance from point of tail. Pectorals 

 well developed. Head moderate, pointed. Snout pointed, gene- 

 rally projecting beyond the mouth, the cleft of which reaches 

 below hindborder of eye or beyond it. Edge of upper lip 

 without a fringe of barbels. Eye small, situated in the anterior 

 third [or fourth of the head. Posterior nostrils a slit on the 

 innerside of the upper lip, below the frontborder of the eye 



Fig. 143. Ophichthys cephalozona (Blkr.). nat. size. 



or in advance of it ; anterior nostrils a short tube on the edge 

 of the snout. Teeth conical, acute, subequal but no canines, 

 in one or more series in jaws and vomer; those of the inter- 

 maxillary plate in a group or in pairs separated from the 

 other teeth. No scales, lateral line present. Gillopenings moderate 

 or small, before and somewhat below base of pectorals. 

 Distribution: Tropical seas. 



Artificial key to the indo-australian species 

 of Ophichthys. 



I. Maxillary teeth uniserial. 



A. Origin of dorsal behind root of pectorals. 

 a. Head and trunk somewhat longer or shorter 

 than tail. 



I. 1 8 23 dark brown rings extending 

 on base of dorsal and anal. Pectorals 

 7 times in head. Jaws nearly equal. O. bonaparti p. 303. 



