1 64 Apodal Fishes of Bengal, 



buried in the cells of a thick skin ; but the truth is, some are 

 totally without any traces of scales whatever ; some have re- 

 gular imbricated scales as in ordinary fishes ; and others have 

 scales with approximated edges, not imbricated as in ordi- 

 nary fishes, but disposed in groups of a tessellated form. 

 In all cases when present, the scales are minute ; the cuticle 

 is thick and opaque, somewhat thicker than in other fishes. 



The colours of Apodal fishes in general are little diversi- 

 fied, and whatever variation there is, runs for the most part 

 through particular genera. There are no species presenting 

 vivid colours, and there are perhaps no more than two or 

 three colours observable in various shades throughout the 

 order ; viz. dark olive-green, passing into black, and reddish, 

 or yellowish-white. 



The lower parts of the body as far back as the intes- 

 tinal aperture, are generally a dirty white ; and above dark 

 olive-green is the prevailing colour ; sometimes the sides and 

 upper parts are more or less distinctly marked and clouded 

 with rings of these colours, occasionally obsure ; sometimes 

 they are marked with more distinct spots of dark, or blackish 

 green on a lighter ground ; more rarely these parts are mark- 

 ed with small marbled specks ; and more rarely still, the body 

 is dirty-whitish, with, or without dark spots. 



6. General form. — As regards their outward appearance 

 there is little variety, and such as we do observe, seems to 

 belong to, or run through particular genera. They are all 

 extremely elongated, and more or less cylindric. The tail 

 is generally more compressed than the body, and the anal 

 and dorsal fins which have no immediate relation to any 

 organs of the higher classes of vertebrate animals, are the 

 most constant of all such appendages to the outward form 

 in this order. On the other hand, the pectoral and caudal 

 fins are frequently wanting ; the ventral s are always wanting 

 in this order, which gives them a naked uniform appearance, 

 resembling the form of a serpent. 



