PISCES APODES. MUR^ENA. 
23 
row of sharp, reflex teeth; a solitary tooth in the palate. No tongue visible. The eyes at the root of the 
rostrum, small, oval, flattish. One nostril near the orbit, the other close to the two tubuli at the extremity of 
the rostrum. 
The branchial membrane hidden, consists of six setaceous rays; the aperture very small. 
The trunk. The back rounded, straight; the breast and abdomen bellied; the sides and tail sub-compressed. 
No lateral line visible. The anus near the middle. 
Fins. There are no pectoral nor ventral fins; the dorsal rises near the hind head, is continued along the 
ridge of the back, and unites with the blunt pointed caudal, with which the anal being also united, the three 
form one undivided, adipose, or fleshy, very narrow fin. 
The colour, is a darkish purple variegated with small white spots ; amongst which some are interspersed in 
pairs, joined by narrow stripes. The spots on the face are smaller than the others, and the throat and opercula 
are marked with long oblique lines of darker purple. 
The length, two feet one inch and a half. 
REMARKS. 
This fish, in the shape particularly of its head, approaches nearer to the figure of the Carolina Mur ana 
Maculata given by Catesby, as also to the figure of the Murcena Helena given by Willoughby, than to the 
figure of the latter given by Bloch. In regard to mere colour and spots, Bloch has justly remarked, that in the 
Mursena Helena they admit of much variety; and he gives instances from Catesby, Plumier, and Cette. 
4 
Another fish, seemingly a variety of the same species, was brought under the same name. It differed only 
in the following circumstances: the eyes were rather orbicular than oval; there were two teeth in the palate, 
one behind the other, and the colour was a yellowish white marked with gray spots and dots. There was no 
drawing made of it. 
Inches. 
The length, - -- -- -- - 23 
Both this and the former fish, were, by the fishermen asserted to be of a poisonous nature, and on that 
account never eaten. Neither, indeed, had an inviting appearance, the latter especially had a remarkably rank 
smell, though fresh caught. 
Two other sea Mursenae caught in the large seine, were brought to me under the name Malagu Paum; of 
which, not having an opportunity of getting drawings made, I can only subjoin the descriptions. 
No. XXXIII. 
Murcena cirris duobas ad maxillam superiorem; pundulis tribus ad rostrum utrinque; cauda 
apt era. 
The Mura:na, with two cirri at the upper jaw, one on each side; three small punctures 
on each side of the rostrum; no caudal fin. 
Called by the Natives Malagu Paum. 
B. D 296. P. 13. V. 0. A. 200. C. 0. 
The body eel-form, without scales, slippery. 
The head large, oblong, conical, sharp. The mouth moderate size; lips loose; the jaws sub-triangular, the 
under jaw shortest; the teeth granular, in several rows; and the palate rough with similar teeth. The tongue 
ovate, smooth, immoveable. The eyes middle, small, covered with the skin of the head. Nostrils at the point 
