FISH. 145 



2. MUR^NA OCELLATA. 

 Gymnothorax occllatus, Spix et Agass. Pisces Brazil, p. 91. tab. 50 b. 



Form.— Head but* moderately compressed. Snout rather short and blunt. Jaws equal. Gape 

 reaching a little beyond the posterior part of the orbit. Teeth apparently in only a single row 

 above and below, very strong and sharp at the extremity of the jaws : none at the anterior part 

 of the vomer, but a few very short ones not easily seen at the back part of the median line of 

 the palate. Two tubular orifices at the extremity of the snout, but above the eyes only two 

 simple pores not prolonged into tubes. Eyes rather large, much exceeding in size the bran- 

 chial orifice ; scarcely more than one diameter between them and the end of the snout Two 

 or three large pores along the edges of both jaws.. Dorsal very distinct, commencing above 

 the branchial orifice. Vent a little before the middle. Tail gradually tapering to a rather 

 fine point. 



Length 12 inc. 9 lines. 



Colour.— {In spirits.) Head and trunk brown, with round whitish spots. Dorsal and anal spotted 

 with black and white, the black spots occupying the edge of the fin. Extremity of the tail 

 imperfectly banded with white and dusky brown. Belly pale. 



Habitat, Rio de Janeiro. 



This elegant and well-marked species, first discovered by Spix on the 

 Brazilian coast, was taken by Mr. Darwin in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro. 



3. MurjEna ? 



Form. — Head moderately compressed, rising considerably at the nape. Body slender, somewhat 

 ensiform behind, and tapering towards the tail. Snout of moderate length. Jaws equal, 

 or the upper one perhaps a very little longer than the lower. Gape reaching as far behind the 

 eye, as it advances before it. Teeth partially in two rows above, in one below ; sharp and 

 strong at the extremity of the jaws, and on the anterior part of the vomer. Two tubular 

 orifices at the extremity of the snout, but only simple pores above the eyes. Three or four 

 large pores along the edges of the upper and under jaws. Eyes distant one diameter and a 

 half from the end of the snout. Dorsal distinct, commencing almost on the occiput, and in 

 advance of the branchial orifice. Vent before the middle. Anal commencing a little behind 

 it, and, like the dorsal, distinct, but rather less so. 



in. tin. 



Length 



Depth, fins not included 

 From end of snout to branchial orifice . 

 From the same to vent 



Colour. — {In spirits.) Rather dark brown, nearly uniform, but here and there with lighter mot- 

 tliugs. The lower jaw appears to have had a row of whitish spots encircling the pores. 



The species of Murcena above described was taken by Mr. Darwin at Porto 

 Praya, Cape de Verds. The individual being small, and possibly not having 

 attained its permanent characters, I have forborne giving it any name, though 

 I have not been able to identify it in the works of authors. 



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