198 Apodal Fishes of Bengal. 



inner band on the palatines continues round the apex, and of equal 

 breadth to the corners of the mouth. The lower jaw also presents a 

 broad band of teeth on either side, broader at the symphisis than any- 

 where else. There, are five short cartilaginous branchial rays, and the 

 branchial combs are single upon each arch. 



The stomach and intestines form one continuous straight tube ex- 

 tending to the vent. The liver is straight, and long, occupying the 

 whole length of the abdominal cavity on the right side of the intestines 

 and stomach. Small detached glands seem to adhere to the latter at 

 various intervals, which are perhaps equivalent to the spleen. 



There is no air vessel. 



Hab. — Bengal where it is rather common. Length 2 feet. 



The whole physiognomy of this animal is very distinct from that of 

 the Cuchia, yet I have been unable to learn whether the natives 

 make any distinction between them, nor do I find it, alluded to by Bu- 

 chanan or any other author. 



Colour bluish black, or brown on every part of the body, except a 

 little dirty-white beneath the jaws. 



OPHISTERNON HEPATICUS, PL xljig. 2. 



The head is short and raised, the muzzle round and little depressed, 

 the eyes very small, placed a little before the posterior openings 

 of the nostrils. The jaws are short, the outer band of teeth on the 

 upper jaw narrow, consisting almost of a single row of sharp hook- 

 ed teeth on the sides, becoming broader in front, where it is recur- 

 ved at the apex of the jaw. The palatine or inner band is broad 

 at the apex, and becomes rather narrower towards the sides ; of the 

 jaw the lower maxilla also presents one broad band at either side, 

 increasing in breadth towards the apex, where there is a narrow blank 

 space in the middle free from teeth. The dorsal and anal fins are nar- 

 row, as well as the tail, which is not so deep as the body. The body 

 is cylindric, but of larger diameter at the head than at any other part. 



The heart is situated about twice the length of the head behind the 

 branchial apertures. The stomach and intestines form one continuous 

 straight tube with the oesophagus, the different divisions of which are 

 only to be distinguished by their size. The stomach is at first rather wide, 

 then becoming gradually narrower, contracts into a very narrow intes- 

 tine, and then expands again into a rather wider intestine correspond- 

 ing with the colon and rectum. The liver which in the last species was 

 greatly elongated, in this presents the singular character of being 



