The Apodes or Eel-like Fishes 369 
been first used for the larva of the common conger-eel. The 
loose watery tissues of these ‘ ghost-fishes’’ grow more and more 
compact and they are finally transformed into young congers. 
Fig. 274.—Conger-eel, Leptocephalus conger (L.). Noank, Conn. 
The Murenesocide are large eels remarkable for their strong 
knife-like teeth. Murenesox savanna occurs in the West 
Indies and in the Mediterranean, Murenesox cinereus in Japan, 
and Murenesox coniceps on the west coast of Mexico, all large 
Fig. 275.—Larva of Conger-eel iin halus conger), called Leptocephalus morrisst, 
(After Higenmann.) 
and fierce, with teeth like shears. The Afyride are small and 
worm-like eels closely allied to the congers, having the tail 
surrounded by a fin, but the nostrils labial. Myrus myrus is 
found in the Mediterranean. Species of Eomyrus, Rhyncho- 
rhinus, and Parangutlla apparently allied to Myrus occur in the 
Eocene. Other related families, mostly rare or living in the 
deep seas, are the Ilyophide, Heterocongride, and Dysommide. 
The Snake-eels.—Most varied of the families of eels is the 
Ophichthyide, snake-like eels recognizable by the form of the 
tail, which protrudes beyond the fins. Of the many genera found 
in tropical waters several are remarkable for the sharply defined 
coloration, suggesting that of the snake. Characteristic species 
are Chlevastes colubrinus and Leiuranus semicinctus, two beauti- 
fully banded species of Polynesia, living in the same holes in 
the reefs and colored in the same fashion. Another is Calle- 
