55 
newly discovered genus of serpentiform fishes. 
the same time transparent, and exhibits few traces of vascu¬ 
larity. To these might also be added many other instances ; 
even among the lizards of the genus anolis, the lacertas stru- 
mosa and bullaris, have beneath the anterior part of the body 
and throat, large elastic vesicles, which at will they quickly 
distend with air, though these species are not aquatic in their 
habits. But to return: the skin all over the body of the Ophio- 
gnathus is particularly soft and slimy, yet it has a slightly 
granulated appearance. The spiracula are of large size, of an 
irregular oval form, and are unprovided with externally per¬ 
ceptible branchiostegous rays; their edges partially conceal on 
each side three branchiae. When the sac is contracted, these 
apertures are placed almost under the body, as in the sphage- 
branchus, having a narrow commissure between them; they 
are placed at about 54- inches from the snout. 
All the fins of the Ophiognathus are extremely small; in 
the formation of the pectorals there is a peculiarity not men¬ 
tioned, I believe, in other apodal genera, they being princi¬ 
pally composed of an adipose disk, which is terminated, and 
nearly surrounded by a narrow radiated membrane, instead 
of this latter taking its origin immediately from the body. 
The dorsal fin, which like the rest is very narrow, and pro¬ 
vided with simple rays, commences at about 18 inches from 
the snout, and terminates insensibly upon that slender, tape¬ 
like filament, into which the tail becomes converted, and 
which is continued 2o|- inches in length beyond the posterior 
extremity of the dorsal fin. About this part of the dorsal fin 
a few other minute filaments take their growth from it. The 
anal fin commences at the posterior union of the sac with the 
body, and ends at about 14 inches from the extremity of the 
