TELEOSTEI. ANACANTHINI. 



Family II. OPHIDIIDJE. 



Pseudobranchise present or absent. Body elongate. Gill-openings 

 wide ; the gill-membranes not attached to the isthmus. Sometimes 

 canine teeth in the jaws. Vertical fins usually confluent, without 

 any distinct anterior dorsal or anal. The dorsal occupies nearly the 

 whole length of the back. Pectorals sometimes absent ; ventrals 

 when present rudimentary and jugular (except in Brotulophis). 

 Vent sometimes at the 'throat. Air-bladder usually present. 

 Pyloric appendages, when present, fe\v in number. 



Geographical Distribution. Seas and estuaries of nearly all parts 

 of the globe. 



Synopsis of Indian Genera. 



Ventrals present ; vertical fins united ; barbels present. 1. BROTDXA. 

 Ventrals absent; vertical fins united; vent near the [ 



head ; no barbels 2. FIERASFER. 



No ventral tins ; caudal distinct from dorsal and anal ; 



no barbels 3. AMMODYTES. 



1. Genus BROTULA, Cuvier. 



Branchiostegals eight. Body elongate, compressed. Barbels 

 present. Villiform teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines. Vertical 

 tins confluent ; ventrals reduced to a single filament, sometimes 

 bifurcated ; the tin is attached to the humeral arch. Scales present, 

 minute. Air-bladder large, either rounded posteriorly or with two 

 horns. A single pyloric appendage. 



Geographical Distribution. Tropical Atlantic and Indian Ocean. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



Light dull greenish, with a few reddish- 



brown spots 1. B. maculata, p. 434. 



Lilac, with black bands on head and back . . 2. B. jerdoni, p. 435. 

 Brown, outer border of vertical tins black 



with a red edge 3. B. multibarbata, p. 435. 



1310. (1.) Brotula maculata. (Fig. 152.) 



Brotula maculata, Bay, P. Z. S. 1868, p. 196 ; Fish. India, p. 419, 

 pi. xci, fig. 2. 



D.I 15. V.I. A. 107. 



Length of head 6, height of body 6 in the total length. Eyes 

 diameter 3 in length of head, f diam. from end of snout, ^ apart. 

 A strong spine at opercle ; two smaller ones at angle of preopercle. 



