Apodal Fishes of Bengal, 191 



trust of the observations of others, who have gone before me, 

 on the same subject. 



Ophicardia,* N. Gen, 



Of this genus but a single species has as yet been dis- 

 covered, and for this we are indebted to Capt. A. P. Phayre, 

 the principal civil officer at Sandoway, on the Arracan Coast. 

 In gratitude for the kindness and liberality with which he 

 has placed his collections at our disposal, as well as in jus- 

 tice to the interest and importance of the discovery, we have 

 dedicated the species to his name. 



1. OPHICARDIA PHY AM AN A, PL sxi.fiig. 1. 



In this singular species the intestinal aperture is placed at the post- 

 erior fifth of the length. The head is short, raised and round, larger 

 in diameter than the body, the adjoining portion of which is, towards 

 the head, augmented ; the jaws are depressed, the upper jaw is rather 

 more prominent than the lower, the muzzle is rounded, having two short 

 tubular nostrils at the extremity. 



The body is not compressed, but is slightly conical from the head to 

 near the vent ; the tail from thence becomes much compressed and very 

 narrow. The tail is emarginated with an adipose duplicature of the skin 

 like the blade of an oar. 



The outer band of teeth on the upper jaw expands in front on either 

 side, without meeting the opposite corresponding band, thus leaving a 

 narrow vacant space at the apex. There are three strong branchial 

 arches, with slight fleshy very short pectinated gills, like the teeth o* 

 a saw. 



There are five branchial rays on each side, the first larger and stronger 

 than the others, and isolated from them, standing considerably in front. 

 The branchial rays are strong and bony. 



There are no scales distinguishable in the skin, even with the micros- 

 cope. 



The colour above is dusky-brown, minutely dotted with brownish- 

 black, the lower parts are of a somewhat lighter shade. 



The length of the specimen is about 20 inches. 



* Etym. 0(j>lQ, a Snake; and, KapSia, the heart. 



2 c 



