Apodal Fishes of Bengal, 185 



3. OPHISURUS MINIMUS, PI x. Jig. 3. 



The distance from the point of the muzzle to the eyes, equal to 1-5 of 

 the distance from the eyes to the pectorals. The distance from the 

 muzzle to the branchial apertures, is equal to the distance from these to 

 the commencement of the dorsal. 



The muzzle short and very narrow, the eyes are placed high, close to 

 each other, and to the muzzle ; the pectorals are rather long and nar- 

 row, each contains about 12 rays. The branchial membrane contains 

 about 24 rays on either side. The body is cylindric and strong, termi- 

 nating in a tapering sharp-pointed tail. 



Colour above light green, minutely dotted along the back. 



Hab. — Bengal. 



This species differs from O. vermiformis^ in being of much 

 more robust proportions ; and from O. hyala, in the distance 

 and size of the pores or spots on the lateral line, which in 

 the former are barely perceptible. 



4. OPHISURUS CAUDA TUS, PL xilfig. 3. 



The head is small, the tail is thick and heavy. The distance from the 

 base of the pectorals to the commencement of the dorsal, is only equal 

 to half the distance from pectorals to the extremity of the snout. 



The distance from the pectorals to the end of the muzzle, is equal to 

 10 ~ of the entire length. The pectoral fins are narrow and pointed, 

 each contains about 13 rays. 



Colour above dark green, below reddish yellow. The branchial rays 

 are covered with a thick integument, so as to conceal their exactnumber. 



The remaining two, are Ophisurus harancha, and Ophi- 

 surus Boro, Buch. 



These are figured in Hardwicke's Illustrations, from copies 

 of the MSS. drawings of Dr. Buchanan. 



LYCODONTIS, N. Gen. 



This genus is composed of such species of the Linnaean 

 genus Murcena as have the palatine teeth in a single row 

 extending along the centre of the roof of the mouth, behind 

 the vomer. The body is slightly compressed ; and the dorsal 



