110 APODES.— OSTi\EIOPHTSI. 



1. Pisodontopliis daspilotus, Gilb., 1898. 



Pisoodonophis daspilotus, Gilb. & Starks^ ^Mera. Calif. Ac. Sci. v. 1904, p. 36. 

 Hah. Pa^;ajia. 



This marine species is recorded by Gilbert and Starlvs from a fresh-water pond at 

 Miraflores, Panama. 



Sub-order YI. STMBRANCIIII. 



Body elongate, eel-shaped ; iius without spinous rnys ; no ventral fins ; gill-opcning's confluent to form 

 ventral slit. 



Fam. 1. SYMBRANCHIDiB. 



1. SYMBRANCHUS, BL, 1795. 



SymbrancJms, Giintli. Cat. Fish. viii. p. 15 (1870): Jord. & Everm. Bull. U.S. Nat. Mas. xlvii. 

 1896, p. 342. 



This genus comprises four species from India, China, Australia, and Tropical America. 



1. Symbranclms marmoratus, BL, 1795. 



Sj/mbranchus marmoratus, Giinth. Cat. Fisli. viii. p. 15 (1870); Jord. & Everm. Bull. U.S. Nat. 

 Mus. xlvii. 1896, p. 342. 



Ilab. Southern Me.xico to Brazil. 



Sub-order Yll. OSTARIOPHYSI. 



The members of this sub-order have the anterior vertebras modified and bearing a 

 chain of small bones connecting the air-bladder with the auditory organ, but they differ 

 so greatly in outward appearance that it is nearly impossible to give a definition based 

 on external characters. 



The principal characters of the Mexican and Central-American fishes of this sub- 

 order are shown in the following synopsis :— 



Syno];)sis of the Mexican and Central-ylmericaii Families. 



I. Ventral fins present, abdominal in position. 



A. Body protected by series o£ bony plates; mouth inferior, with 



expanded, sucker-like li|)s 1. Loiiicahuh.k. 



B. Body naked; nioutli terminal or subterminal ; 4 to 8 barbels; an 



adipose fin 2. SiLuiuDii;. 



