MONOPTERUS. MONOPTERE. 



Generic Character* 



Coi~pus anguilliforme. 

 Nares inter oculos. 



Pinna caudalis. 



Body anguilliform. 

 Nostrils placed between th< 



eyes. 

 Fin caudal. 



JAVAN MONOPTERE. 



Monopterus Javanicus. M. nigricans, cauda peracuta. 



Monopterus with very sharp-pointed tail. 



Le Monoptere Javanois. Cepede pise, 2, p. 130, 



X HE Monopterus Javanicus, the only animal of 

 this genus hitherto discovered, is thus described by 

 the Count de la Cepede, from the manuscripts of 

 Commerson, by whom it was considered as a species 

 of Murasna. The body is serpentiform, viscous, 

 and destitute of conspicuous scales : the head thick, 

 compressed, enlarging towards the back part, and 

 terminated in front by a rounded muzzle : the gape 

 is rather wide ; the upper jaw scarce projecting 

 beyond the lower ; both being furnished with short 

 close teeth, like those of a file : a row of similar 

 teeth is also situated in the inside of the mouth 

 around the palate : the base of the tongue, which is 



