843 
Body well elongated, cylindrical. Head moderate, point¬ 
ed, Snout pointed, generally projects beyond mouth. Eye 
small, at first third or fourth of head. Mouth cleft reaches 
below hind eye edge or beyond. Edge of upper lip without 
fringe of small barbels. Teeth acute, conic, subequal, vi/ith- 
out canines, in 1 or more series in jaws and on vomer. Pre¬ 
maxillary teeth in group or in pairs separated from other teeth. 
Front nostrils in short tube on snout edge. Hind nostrils 
slit on inner side of upper lip, below front border of eye or 
in advance. Gill openings moderate or small, before and some¬ 
what below pectoral bases. Lateral line present. Dorsal and 
anal not confluent, end at short space from point of tail, 
f 
Dorsal origin above gill openings or slightly behind pectoral 
end. Pectoral well developed. Vent preraedian or postmedian. 
Numerous species in tropical seas. 
The following doubtful: 
O 
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