246 
THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
Muraenesox TELABON. 
Tala Bon, Russell , pi. 38. 
Conger telabon, Cuvier , R£g. an. p. 350. 
Muraenesox lanceolata, McClelland , Cal. J. X. H. iv. p. 409, et v. pp. 181, 210. 
Muraenesox exodon, McClelland , Cal. J. N. 14. iv. p. 409. 
Muraenesox serradentata, McClelland , ibid. 
Muraenesox exodentata, McClelland , Cal. J. X. H. v. pp. 180, 210, pi. 8, f. 4. 
Conger telabon, Cantor , Catal. p. 312. 
Muraenesox pristis, Raup , Catal. Brit. Mus. p. 116. 
Muraenesox telabon, Bleeker , Atl. Icli. iv. p. 22, pi. 152, f. 2. 
B. xv-xxii. D. 238-287. C. 9-11. A. 151-213. P.15-16. 
The comparative proportions vary considerably with age, season, and the health of the fish. 
Length of head about ^ to of pectoral -jb, of the total length. Height of head about § of 
that of the body. Height of body from about A 1° 2 V °f die total length. Height of dorsal fin 
about j; of height of body. 
Eyes—Diameter from 1 to -J in the length of the head, 1 diameter apart, 3 diameters from 
end of snout. 
Body much elongated and strongly compressed, especially towards the tail. Head elongated 
and conical. 
Snout very acute : upper jaw slightly the longest, the lower laterally compressed, but both of 
about equal width, with their anterior extremities rather expanded, causing the muzzle to be some¬ 
what rounded. Mouth widely cleft, the anterior margin of the orbit being about midway between 
the snout and the cleft of the mouth. The anterior nasal orifice sub-tubular, and placed just 
above the lip at the termination of the groove, the posterior oblong and situated before the middle 
of the orbit. Gill openings small. A transverse series of pores exist across the crown of the 
head. 
Teeth—In lower jaw in several rows internally, and a strong external row directed outwards, 
separated from the internal series by an edentulous interspace : round the anterior margin of the 
jaw a row of conical teeth, and an internal somewhat large row of ten or twelve. Palatine teeth 
anteriorly in one row, posteriorly in many: the vomer with a central row of large lanceolate ones, 
with a small interspace between each, and having a small row on either side. Nasal teeth in a 
single central series, whilst round the anterior extremity of the snout two rows exist, the same 
as in the mandibulte. 
Fins—Dorsal commences a short distance before the base of the pectoral: the anal under 
about the fifty-fifth dorsal ray, just posterior to the anus. Each fin ray arises by two distinct roots, 
and the separate portions, though closely approximating continue distinct. 
Lateral line—Gradually descends from the upper third of the body to the central line, which 
it reaches in the anterior fourth of the total length. It consists of tubes sending two branches 
downwards, between which is a pore. 
Colours—Upper surface of head and back olive, becoming brown posteriorly. Abdomen 
dirty white, becoming silvery inferiorly. The throat, cheeks, and gill-covers shot with golden 
