Macrognathus. gangetic fishes. 27 



were very proper ; because several other species were de- 

 void of prickles ; but since the division, as all the species 

 of Macrognathus have numerous prickles, these names have 

 become absurd, and should be changed by the first systematic 

 writer. 



The fishes of the Macrognathus genus have less of a dis- 

 gusting appearance than those called Murcena, and are more 

 sought after by the natives ; the highest of whom in Bengal 

 make no scruple of eating them ; and by Europeans they are 

 esteemed the best of the eel kind. 



All the species of Macrognathus are long slender fishes, 

 considerably compressed at the sides. They are slippery, 

 with very minute smooth scales, and at both ends terminate 

 in a point. 



The head is narrow, compressed, smooth, and lengthened 

 out into a snout, which tapers to a sharp end. Their mouths 

 are small, and situated under the snout, at some distance from 

 the extremity. Two of the species have small teeth in both 

 jaws ; but in the third these organs are scarcely, if at all, ob- 

 servable. The eyes are small. There are always two tubular 

 nostrils near the extremity of the snout ; and in some species 

 there are other two apertures towards the eyes. The gill-covers 

 are large and distinctly seen, and do not conceal their mem- 

 branes, which cover the sides of the throat. The openings to 

 the gills are large, and one is placed on each side of the neck. 

 The edges of the back and belly are convex ; those of the tail 

 are sharp above and below. The lateral lines are placed high, 

 and are straight and smooth. 



The back and anal fins are linear ; and the former is placed 

 far back along tail. Before each are several prickles, capable of 

 being erected, or of being laid back into a furrow, by means 

 in general of a small membrane. Their number varies in dif- 

 ferent individuals of the same species, but is always by far the 



