Apodal Fishes of Bengal, 1 99 



developed entirely at the hinder part of the abdominal cavity, in close 

 contact with the colon and rectum, supported however by means of a 

 long capsular ligament to its usual attachment with the diaphragm on 

 the right side. The skin is thin and smooth, without any trace of 

 scales whatever. 



This new important species is a native of the Arracan 

 Coast, where it was discovered by Captain Phayre, to whom 

 I have been indebted for much kind and liberal assistance 

 in the investigation of the fishes of this portion of the Bengal 

 territories. We may still anticipate further discoveries in 

 this quartej through the kind assistance of Captain Phayre, 

 and several other distinguished public Officers employed on 

 the same Coast from Chittagong to Mergui, who have al- 

 ready evinced an enlightened regard for the investigation 

 of the natural productions of the provinces intrusted to 

 their care. Until these enquiries are brought to a close, 

 it would be premature in this place to offer any further ge- 

 neral observations on the affinities of the order. 



II.— PTYOBRANCHID^E, N. Fam. 



Gills pectinated, fan-shaped, unsupported by bony arches, 

 branchial apertures distinct, and placed in front of small 

 pectorals. Teeth on the centre of the palate; intestinal 

 aperture situated about the latter third of the length. 



1.— PTYOBRANCHUS. N. Gen. 



Head small, with a narrow conical round muzzle, without 

 tubular nostrils. They have a long cylindric body like a 

 reed, terminating abruptly at the end of the tail; dorsal and 

 anal narrow, supported by pointed rays, and connected with 

 the caudal by means of a narrow raphe, more or less conspi- 

 cuous in different species. 



Obs. — There are about eleven rays in the branchial mem- 

 - brane, no air vessel. The maxillary and intermaxillary 



2 D 



