APODAL FISHES OF AMERICA AND EUROPE. 
643 
Habitat: Mediterranean Sea. 
Etymology : Mupoq, Myrus , the ancient name of the species. 
This species is not rare in the Mediterranean • we have a single 
specimen from Palermo. It reaches a larger size than the other mem- 
bers of the family. 
Family IV.— MUR^ENESOCID^. 
This family as here understood comprises those scaleless Anguilloid 
eels which have the posterior nostril not labial, the tongue largely 
adnate, the jaws not excessively elongate, the end of the tail surrounded 
by the caudal fin, and the pectoral fins well developed. None of these 
characters appear to have in themselves great importance, but according 
to Dr. Gill, in the genus Murcenesox , the only genus in which the osteology 
is well known, the characters are such as fully to justify family distinc- 
tion. Dr. Gill gives the following : 
DIAGNOSIS OF MUR^ENESOCULE. 
Enchelycephalous apodals with the tongue not free, the branchiostegal membrane 
connecting the opposite sides below, the epipharyngeals reduced to one pair, and the 
hypopharyngeals linguiform and encroaching on the fourth branchial arch. 
To this should be added : Gill-openings rather wide ; pectoral fins 
well developed ; jaws of moderate length ; vomer well armed. 
Whether all these characters are found in the other genera commonly 
associated with Murcenesox is not yet known. The family seems divisi- 
ble into two well-marked groups, which are perhaps as distinct from 
each other as from the Echelidce or the Gongridce. The E ettastomince , 
usually associated with Murcenesox , we have removed to form a distinct 
group near the Nemichthyidce . . 
The species of this family are not very numerous, and a large propor- 
tion are American. In general appearance and habits they approach 
the Congers. All are plainly colored and some descend to rather deep 
water . 
ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN GENERA OF MURvENESOCIDAS. 
a. Dorsal and anal fins low anteriorly, developed chiefly on the tail. (Stilbiscin^e). 
b. Tail short, little more than half as long as rest of body ; teeth all uniserial, 
unequal, some of them canine-like ; body very slender, whip-shaped. 
c. Dorsal fin beginning close behind the nape Gordiichthys, 24. 
co. Dorsal fin beginning behind the vent £>tilbisctjs, 25. 
bb. Tail about as long as rest of body ; teeth moderate ; dorsal beginning before 
the vent. 
d. Body whip-shaped, the diameter less than one-fiftieth the length; dorsal 
beginning not far behind pectoral Leptoconger, 26. 
dd. Body moderately elongate, the diameter more than one- thirtieth the length ; 
dorsal beginning just before vent Neoconger, 27. 
aa. Dorsal and anal fins well developed throughout, the dorsal beginning nearly 
above gill-opening; snout moderately produced ; vomerine teeth very 
Strong. (MUR-ENESOCINiE. ) 
