1 74 Apodal Fishes of Bengal. 



and two rows on either side of both jaws. The inner row, 

 together with a few scattered prominent teeth at the apices 

 of the jaws, sharp, hooked, moveable, and capable of being 

 retracted. 



4. Thcerodontis, J. M. 



Dorsal commencing at the head, or nape. Tail compressed. 

 A single row of sharp teeth on the maxillaries, and a double 

 row of scattered pointed teeth on the centre of the palate, with 

 a few scattered, prominent, retractile teeth at the apex of the 

 upper and lower jaw. 



5. Gymnomurtena, Lacep. 



Body and tail almost cylindric ; neither dorsal nor anal 

 fins are perceptible, but the caudal is distinct. 



II.— Tribe, OPHICARDIDES, J. M. 



The heart is situated behind the branchial apertures, and the 

 intestinal outlet far back. The tail is consequently short. The 

 trunk is long and cylindric ; the dorsal and anal fins when present, 

 are placed far back on the latter third of the entire length. 



Two families of this tribe are already distinguished by 

 their long trunk, and short tail. 



1.— Family, Synbranchim:, J. M. 



Have but a single external opening situated under the 

 throat, and leading to the gills, which are supported by bony 

 arches. Two rows, or, in some, two broad bands of teeth on the 

 edges of the upper, and one either side of the lower jaw. 



Their only fins consist of a duplicature of the skin un- 

 supported by rays, forming an adipose dorsal and anal 

 united at the end of the tail, which is compressed, and 

 narrow, like the point of a two-edged sword. Branchial 

 rays few in number, and short. 



