Apodal Fishes of Bengal. 175 



The stomach is a simple tube, having the pyloric orifice 

 at the hinder, or opposite end from the oesophagus. The 

 intestine is straight and continuous with the stomach, 

 but narrower. 



1. Gen. Ophicardia, J. M. 



Two broad bands of teeth on the upper, and one on the 

 lower-jaw ; a single transverse opening under the throat, di- 

 verging on either side to the gills, which consist of three 

 slightly pectinate fleshy combs ; no scales, five rays in each 

 side of the branchial membrane. There is but one species 

 known, and this has no air-vessel. 



2. Gen. Pneumabranchus, J. M. 



A single transverse opening under the throat, diverging 

 to the branchiae on either side, which have three short 

 arches without pectinated combs, but provided with a bran- 

 chial sack which opens over the first arch. There are two rows 

 of sharp hooked teeth in the upper, and one on the lower 

 jaw ; and the body is covered with minute imbricated scales. 



Six strong bony rays on each side of the branchial mem- 

 brane. 



There are three species known. In these no air-vessel has 

 been observed. 



S. Gen. Synbranchus, Bl., Unibranchapertura, Lacep. 



There is a single longitudinal or round aperture under 

 the throat, common to both branchiae ; six strong rays in the 

 branchial membrane; air-bladder long and narrow. The 

 teeth are said to be blunt. 



4. Gen. Ophisternon, J. M. 



A single transverse opening under the throat, common 

 to both branchiae, consisting of four fully developed combs 

 on each side, without a central partition. Eyes very 



2 A 



