OphlSUrUS. GANGETIC FISHES. 21 



jaw the longest, and with about three hundred and thirty rays 

 in the back fin. 



This fish I have found in the estuaries near Calcutta, where 

 it grows to about eighteen inches in length. 



The colour is above black, with green dots ; beneath very pale 

 yellow. The eyes are silvered. 



The head is wider than the body. The eyes are near the 

 middle of the head in respect to height. 



The pectoral fins are minute and rounded, and each contains 

 about eleven rays. The anal fin has about two hundred and 

 seventy. 



3d Species. — Ophisurus harancha. 



An ophisurus with upper jaw the longest ; without spots, 

 but having a lateral line ; and with about three hundred and 

 forty-five rays in the back fin. 



This fish I found also in the estuaries near Calcutta, and it 

 differs little from the Boro. 



The lateral line runs straight along the middle of the fish. 

 The vent fin can be hid in a longitudinal furrow, and contains 

 about two hundred and forty rays. The pectoral fins end in a 

 sharp point, and each contains about twelve rays. 



IV. Genus. — Mur^na. 



Fishes of the second order with a serpent-like form ; with- 

 out scales, but covered with viscid slime ; and having fins on 

 the tail, sides, and back, and behind the vent, the two latter be- 

 ing unarmed. 



I have already mentioned the impropriety of bestowing the 

 name Mursena on a genus, to which the Muraena of the Latins 

 does not belong : but I leave the correction to some publisher 

 of a system. 



