218 Apodal Fishes of Bengal. 



rBody long, and tapering from the 



Gymnomur^ena CiEcus. J intestinal aperture to the point of 



murj&na CjEcus, Linn.. the tail. Head conical, terminating 



ApterichthusCcecusLoroach.Ann.J in a narrow pointed muzzle — no 



du Mus. 13, t. 21,/. 6. fins. Teeth small at the base, and 



! large and distinct from each other 



L at the apex of the jaws. 



Tribe.— OPHICARDIDES. Nob. 

 The heart situated far behind the gills, and the anus be- 

 hind the middle of the body. 



I. Fam.— SYNBRANCHIDiE, Nob. 



A single external opening leading to the gills which are 

 supported by bony arches, no fins beyond a slight duplica- 

 tive of the skin, forming an adipose dorsal and anal united at 

 the end of the tail. Anterior nostrils tubular. 



I. Gen. — Ophicardia, Nob. 

 Jaws depressed, gills small, consisting of 3 slightly pecti- 

 nated combs, to ivhich there is a single transverse external 

 opening, diverging to a small internal opening on either side. 

 Teeth disposed in broad bands on either side as well as on the 

 maxillaries. 



Having five strong bony branchial 

 rays on either side, the first isolated 

 in front of the others and much 

 larger. The body is cylindric, with- 

 out scales, and very long. The tail 

 very short and compressed, the 

 anus situated at the posterior fifth 

 of the entire length. Head short 

 and convex at the crown. 



Hab.— Sandoway. 



OPHICAIIDIA PHAYRIANA, Nob. 



xii. 1 



II. Gen. — Pneumabranchus, Nob. 



Head depressed, 3 branchial arches, the intervals between 

 them almost obliterated by '■ means of a vascular membrane 

 which lines a blind sack opening on either side over the first 



