OPHIOCEPIIALUS. 69 



Fam. 14. OPIIIOCEPHALID.E. 



An accessory superbranchial cavity, but no superbranchial organ. 

 Mouth protractile, the maxillaries excluded from the oral border. 

 Ventral fin, if present, near the pectoral, with six soft rays ; pelvic 

 bones connected with the clavicular symphysis by ligament. Dorsal 

 and anal fins long, without spines. Ribs not confined to the prsecaudal 

 region, the anterior sessile, the remainder inserted on the parapophyses ; 

 epipleurals on the anterior ribs. Air-bladder present, much elongate, 

 bifid behind, and extending far into the caudal region. 



Asia and Africa. 



1. OPHIOCEPHALUS. 



Bloch, Xut. Ausl. Fische, vii. p. 137 (1793) ; Giinth. Oat. Fisli. iii. p. 468 (18G1) ; 

 Bouleng. Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 367 (1901), and Fish. Nile, p. 437 (1907). 



Body elongate, cylindrical or a little depressed in front, covered with 

 small or moderately large cycloid or feebly ctenoid scales ; lateral line 

 complete, sometimes interrupted. Head depressed, flat and covered 

 with large scales above ; mouth large, with bands of cardiform teeth, 

 often intermixed with enlarged canine-like teeth in the lower jaw ; 

 teeth on the vomer and palatines. Anterior nostril in a tentacle-like 

 tube. Dorsal and anal fins much elongate. Ventral fins present. 

 \'ertebr8e 39-61. 



Eastern and South-Eastern Asia ; Tropical Africa. 



Synopsis of the Species. 



D. 42-49 ; A. 30-34 ; Sc. 74-82 ; L. 1. 26-36 . 1. 0. africanus, Stdr., p. 09. 

 D. 40-45 ; A. 26-31 ; Sc. 62-76 ; L.l. 34-42 . 2. 0. obscuru.% Gtlir., p. 70. 

 D. 40-43 ; A. 27-29 ; Sc. 83-90 ; L.l. 37-50 . 3. 0. iHsi;/ms, Sauv., p. 72. 



1. OPHIOCEPHALUS AFRICANUS. 



OpMocephahis ohscurus (non Giinth.), J. A. Smith, Proc. R. Soc. EJinb. viii. 



1873, p. 89. 

 OpJdocephaltis africanus, Steind. Denkschr. Ak. Wicn, xli. 1879, p. 15, pi. iii. 



fig. 2 ; Bouleng. Poiss. Bass. Congo, p. 369 (1901). 



Depth of body 6 J to 7^ times in total length, length of head SJ to 

 4 times. Head 2 or 2\ times as long as broad ; lower jaw slightly 

 projecting beyond upper ; snout rounded, 1 to 1\ times as long as eye. 



