1 84 9 .] Catalogue of Malayan Fishes. 1 309 



the anterior teeth are a little stronger than the rest, and placed three 

 deep, then two, and posteriorly in a single series of excessively minute 

 teeth. On each side of the mesial series commences a single one of 

 fine, pointed teeth, which is the internal series of the jaw ; behind the 

 posterior aperture of the nostril commences an external series of simi- 

 lar teeth. Those of the lower jaw resemble the latter, but they are 

 throughout placed in a double series, except over the symphysis which 

 is naked. The small elongated tongue is tied to the floor of the 

 mouth ; it is placed unusually far forwards and nearly extends to the 

 anterior third of the cavity. The vertical diameter continues uniform 

 from the occiput to the anus, varying in two individuals examined, from 

 3% times in, to \ of the length of the head, while their greatest diameters 

 of the two anterior thirds of the tail vary from \ to \ of the head. 

 The vertical diameter between the termination of the dorsal and anal 

 is but two diameters of the eye, forming the base of the equilateral 

 triangular point of the tail. The small pectorals are from \ of, to 3 J times 

 in the length of the head. The dorsal commences above the apex of the 

 pectorals. Its distance from the root of the upper pectoral ray equals 

 the length of the pectoral fin, and is \ of its distance from the muzzle. 

 The length of the dorsal rays is but \ of the head. The anal rays are 

 a little longer. Two individuals occurred together at Pinang in No- 

 vember 1844. Although there was a difference of but 2| inch in 

 length, the longer was out of proportion, the thicker. 



Gen. Dalophis, (Rqfinesque* 181 0.) Swainso?i, 1839. 



No pectoral fins ; gill-openings placed very low, towards the sides of 

 the throat ; dorsal and anal terminating before they reach the end of 

 the tail, which is naked ; body cylindrical, mouth small with minute 

 sharp teeth ; nostrils tubular ; dorsal fin commencing a little behind 

 the head ; vent nearly central ; upper jaw much longer than lower. 



Dalophis anceps, Cantor. 



Plate VI. Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4. 



Ground-colour of head, back and upper half of sides yellowish white, 



so sparingly dotted with brown as to acquire a greyish or dusty 



appearance ; beneath the lateral line a pale bluish grey longitudinal 



band ; abdomen white ; dorsal and anal hyaline, the lower half of the 



* Swainson : Classif. I. 221 ; II. 335. 



