Apodal Fishes of Bengal. 183 



5. The Taleo paum of Dr. Russell, Indian Fishes, No. 36, 

 vol. 1, is also no doubt a distinct species, which from its golden 

 yellow colour, is inserted in the synopsis as Murcenesox 

 aurea. 



OPHISURUS, Lacep. 



The Indian species of this genus have a peculiar structure 

 of the branchial rays hitherto unnoticed. Buchanan indeed 

 remarks, ( Gangetic Fishes, p. 19.) that no rays can be 

 distinctly seen in the species of this country. They are, 

 however, very distinctly seen on dissection, and even in dried 

 specimens, if the branchial membrane be distended, the ad- 

 joining soft parts will shrink ; in which condition the rays 

 are brought into view, presenting a very beautiful structure 

 of decussating curves. 



The teeth are round, disposed in three bands on the upper 

 jaw ; the middle band on the vomer extends from the back 

 part of the palate to the apex of the jaw, the others termi- 

 nate obliquely against this, before they reach the apex. 



The gills consist of four double combs, supported by slen- 

 der bony arches, the heart is situated between the pec- 

 torals ; the liver is large, and envelopes the oesophagus ; the 

 stomach is a large blind sack as in the genus Anguilla, Cuv. 

 with the intestine given off at its anterior extremity, from 

 whence it proceeds straight to the vent. 



An oval glandular organ occupies a cavity in the anterior 

 part of the tail ; but there is no prolongation of the intestine 

 in these species beyond the intestinal aperture, as said by 

 Cuvier to be the case with European species. 



The species of this country which I have met with, in 

 addition to those noticed by Buchanan, are three. They are 

 however most difficult to determine, and for this reason, no 

 less than on account of their singular structure and form, 

 they ought to be made the subject of special investiga- 

 tion. 



2 B 



