Apodal Fishes of Bengal, 171 



Class Pisces. 



Ord.— MALOCOPTERIGII APODES, Linn. 



Fishes of an elongated cylindric shape, with soft branchi- 

 al apertures, smooth skin ; covered with a thick mucus, with- 

 out external bony spines, or ventral fins. Their skeleton 

 presents little more than the bones of the head and spinal 

 column, which last is greatly developed. Their teeth are 

 generally either numerous, or very prominent. The intestines 

 are narrow, and short, without caeca. 



The nasal apertures are double on either side, and the 

 two openings are placed wide apart : one being generally 

 near the eyes, the other, which is mostly tubular, is near 

 the end of the muzzle. 



The pores from which the mucus exudes, are situated 

 along the muzzle and lateral line. 



I.— Tribe, ANGUILLIFORMES, J. M. 



The heart is situated between the branchial apertures, which are 

 small, and placed one on either side. The stomach is a long blind 

 sack, with the entrance to the intestine situated in front, near that of 

 the oesophagus, where it is guarded by a strong valve. The vent is 

 never behind the middle. The gills are pectinated, supported by 

 bony arches. 



This tribe forms three Families, which include most of 

 the European genera, and some which belong to India. 

 They are distinguished by a short trunk, scarcely ex- 

 ceeding half the length of the tail. 



I. — Family, Anguillid^:, J. M. 



Pectoral fins distinct. Dorsal and anal united with the 

 caudal fin, so that the latter can only he distinguished from 



