Murcenophis. gangetic fishes. 17 



The lateral line forms an arch before, and then runs straight 

 along the middle of the side. The tail ends in a sharp point, is 

 compressed, and has sharp edges above and below. 



II. Genus. — Murcenophis. 



Fishes of the second order, with a body like a serpent, but 

 without scales, and devoid of pectoral fins, with the fins of the 

 back vent and tail united into one, and with an opening to the 

 o-ills on each side of the neck. 



The genus, of which I am now treating, by Bloch has been 

 called Gymnothorax, which La Cepede was scarcely justifiable 

 in changing to Murcenophis ; but, as the Murcena of the an- 

 cients belongs to this genus, the name might have been appro- 

 priated to it, while the name Anguilla might have been be- 

 stowed on the genus, which La Cepede calls Murcena, as the 

 common and well known eel is no doubt the Anguilla of the 

 Latins. 



1st Species. — Mur^nophis sathete. 



A murcenophis with the dorsal fin commencing at the 

 neck, with sharp teeth placed at a distance from each other in 

 both jaws, which are nearly of equal lengths, and with an un- 

 spotted body. 



The sathete I have found in the estuaries near Calcutta. It 

 is a very ugly eel, which grows to five or six feet in length, 

 and is of a brownish black colour, with the under parts of the 

 head of a dirty yellow. 



The head is oval, and small. The nostrils are double, the 

 foremost being tubular. The eyes are small, and far forward. 

 The teeth are strong. The gill-membrane is thick, large, and 

 striated with small rays, the number of which cannot be pro- 

 perly ascertained. The openings to the gills are small. 



