Manuscript of Henry Weed Fowler on the fishes of the Philippines, unpublished, circa 1930-1941

419

Order Synbranchii

Body eel like. Mouth not protractile, above bordered
chiefly by premaxillaries, maxillary posterior and parallel.
Lower jaw formed by dentary, articular and angular bones.
Teeth in bands or in series in jaws, usually on palatines
and pterygoids. Opercular bones normal. Gill membranes
united, gill openings confluent below, more or less re-
stricted from above, typically appears as transverse slit.
Skull long, without crests or ridges above. Preorbital
present, but no suborbitals. Front vertebrae not modified,
without Weberian ossicles. No air bladder. Scales absent
or minute, when arranged longitudinally. Lateral line
present. Dorsal and anal rayless folds of skin, united
with very small caudal of 8 to 10 rays. No pectorals, only
membrane bones of arch developed. Ventrals absent or as
jugular rudiments.

f

420

Suborder Alabeoidia

Mouth small. Palate toothless, Opercles rhomboid—
al. Skull short, wide, depressed. Vent in anterior half
of body. Dorsal and anal well developed. Ventrals pre¬
sent, very small, 2 rayed, just behind gill opening.

Family Alabeldae

Body eel like. Snout blunt. Eyes advanced, far for¬
ward. Mouth small, terminal. Teeth blunt, compressed,
uniserial. Gill opening single, on ventral surface.
Vertebrae 75, of which 52 caudal. Body naked.

Small fishes of the Australian coasts, known as "shore
eels".

*

421

Genus Alabes Cloquet

Alabes CLOQUET, Diet. Sci. Nat,, vol., 1, 1816, p. 99
(on Les Alabes CUVIER, Regne Animal, vol, 2, 1817,
p. 23 o. Atypic. "Sea of the Indies"), Type,

Alabes c uverlae MC CLELLAND, Journ. Asiatic Soc. Ben¬
gal, vol, 5, 1845, p. 221.

Alabi s SV’AINSON, Nat. Hist. Animals, vol. 1, 1838, p.

225. Atypic. (On CUVIER).

Alaebes SWAINSON, Nat. Hist. Animals, vol. 2, 1839, p.

336. Atypic. (On CUVIER; error).

Cheilobranchus RICHARDSON, Ichth, Voy. Erebus and Terror,
1844-48, p. 50. Type Cheilobranchus dorsalis RICHARDSON.

Chilobranchus GtfNTHER, Cat. Fishes Brit. Mus., vol. 8,

1870, p. 17. Type Cheilobranchus dorsalis RICHARDSON.

Body compressed, subcylindrical in front, moderately elon¬
gate. Head small. Snout very obtuse, short. Eye moderate.
Mouth narrow, upper jaw Slightly protractile. Teeth in jaws
uniserial, none on palate. Gill opening transverse, gill mem¬
branes not attached to isthmus. Hinder edge of gill opening
with raised lip. Gill arches 4, no slit behind fourth. Gills
well developed. No accessory breathing sac. Intestine straight,
dilation of stomach longer than intestine, provided with short
caecal appendage near upper end. Vent premedian, with minute
paoilla. Vertical fins reduced to simple cutandous fold, with»
out rays.

Australia and Tasmania.

422

Analysis of species

"!

a • No concave disk between pectoral fins,
t) * Gill opening with free marginal lobes;

dorsal begins behind or opposite vent,
cl. On Back 14 brown bands, lost on dor-
dal; sides of abdomen with numerous
vertical narrow brown bars, anter¬
iorly crossed by 4 or 5 broad car¬
mine bars below. -----parvulus•

c^. Six dark median blotches along side of
trunk and front part of tail.

^jrufus.

b2. Gill opening without free marginal lobes;
dorsal begins close behind head.

dorsalis.

a2. Small concave disk between pectoral fins.

cuyieri.

423

_ Alabes_ parvulus (Me Culloch)

Cheilobranchus oarvulus MG CULLOCH, Records Australian
Mus., vol: • 7, pt. 4, Aug. 30, 1909, p. 316, fig. 18.

Rock pools near Sydney; Pishes New South Wales, ed.
2 , 1927, p. 22.

Alabes rufus (Macleay)

Chilobranchus rufus MACLEAY, Proc. Linn. Soc. Mew South
Wales, vol. 6, pt. 2, Sept. 12, 1881, p. 266. Port
Jackson; Tasmania. — STEINDACHNER, Sitz. Ber. Akad.
Wiss. Wien. Math. - naturw. Klasse, vol. 88, pt. 1,
1883, p. 1107 (Gulf of St. Vincent). — OGILBY,
Handbook of Sydney, 1896, p. 119.

Cheilobranchus rufus WaITE, Records Australian Mus.,
vol. 6, No. 3, 1906, p. 195, pi. 36, fig. 1 (Port
Phillip). — STEAD, Fishes of Australia, 1906, p. 43
(Port Jackson). — FOWLER, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Philadelphia, 1907, p. 421 (Victoria). — WAITE,
Records South Australian Mus., vol. 2, No. 1, April
23, 1921, p. 48, fig. 71. -- MG CULLOCH, Fishes New
South Wales, ed. 2, 1927, p. 22, pi. 8, fig. 76a.
a 1abas rufus FOWLER, Proc. Acad, Nat. Sci. Philadelphia
1912, p. 8 (Victoria specimens;: error).

Svmbrachus bengalensis (not MC CELLAND), ZIETZ Trans.
Royal Soc. South Australia, vol. 32, 1908, p. 296.

425

Depth 9 3/4 to 10 2/®; head 7 3/4 to 9 l/4, width 1 2/5
to 1 3/5; head and trunk 1 l/2 to 1 2/3 in tail. Snout 3 2/5
to 3 2/3 in head; eye 4 to 4 l/4, greater than to 1 1/4 in
snout, subequal with interorbital; rictus reaches front eye
edge; maxillary 3 l/8 to 3 l/2 in head; teeth uniserial, com¬
pressed, even ends obtuse; interorbital 4, nearly level. Gill
opening small slit under head, transversely, hind edge with
short cutaneous flap each side.

Dorsal slight cutaneous fold, inserted trifle nearer gill
opening than vent; anal as low fold only on last 3/5 of tall.

Deep russet brown, with 4 rather large dusky brown blotches
on side of trunk, last one somewhat behind vent. Iris brown.

A. N. S• P. Victoria, Australia. Mrs. Agnes F. Kenyon

Length 65 to 71 mm.

87361 U. S. N. M. Kangaroo Island, Australia.
March 6, 1920. C. M. Hay. Length 61 to 83 mm.
amples.

8 ex

427

Alabes dorsalis

(Richardson)

Chielobranchus dorsails RICHARDSON, Ichth. Voy. Erebus
and Terror, 1844-48, p. 50, pi. 30, figs. 1-5. North
west coast of Australia.

Chilobranchus dorsalis GUNTHER, Cat. Pishes Brit. Mus.,
vol. 8, 1870, p. 18 (Tasmania; Australia; types;
types of Chellobranchus aptenodytum ). — CASTELNAU,
Proc. Zool. Acclimat. Soc. Victoria, vol. 1, 1872, p.
190 (reference). -- SCHMELTZ, Cat. Mus. Godeffroy, No.
6,.1877, p. 18 (Sydney). — KLUNZINGER, Sitz. Ber.

Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math. - naturw. Klasse, vol. 80, pt.
1, 1879, p. 418 (Murray River). — MACLEAY, Proc. Linn.
Soc. New South Wales, vol. 6, pt. 2, Sept. 12, 1881, p.
266 (North west Australia).

Cheilobranchus aptenodytum RICHARDSON, Ichth, Voy. Erebus
and Terror, 1844-48, p. 51. Above high water mark on
Penguin Island, 72°S. Lat.

Cheilobranchus concolor RICHARDSO ', Ichth. Voy. Erebus and
Terror, 1844-48, p« 51. No locality. (Name in synon¬
ymy*)

Alabes cuvieri Me Clelland

Alabes cuverlae MC CLELLAND, Calcutta Journ. Nat. Hist.,
vol• 5, 1845, p. 221. Indian Ocean. (Evidently on

CUVIER.)

Alabes cuvieri VAILLANT, Nouv. Arch. Mus. Hist, Nat. Paris
ser. 4, vol. 7, 1905, p. 149. (India and New Holland.)

Suborder Synbranchoidea

IWWMWIHI ii i ill nni nimiiinii umiiiii ■ \mn ...

. . . 1— winn i i r r— r ~t -

Mouth moderately large. Palate with crescentic band or
series of teeth on palatines and pterygoids. Opercle subtri-
angular• Slull elongate. Dorsal and anal vestigeal.
trals. Vent in posterior half of body.

No ven-

429

Family SYNBRANCHIDAE

Body elongate, cylindrical, comprersed behind. Gills on
5 or 4 branchial arches, well developed or rudimentary. No
accessory breathing apparatus. Pectoral arch joined to skull
by forked post temporal. Stomach without coecal sac or pyloric
coeca. Ovaries with oviducts. No scales. Dorsal and anal
reduced to low folds. No ventrals. Vent in posterior half of
body.

Eel like fishes in the rivers of India, East Indies,
Philippines, China, Japan. Also tropical West Africa, Central
and South America.

%

430

Analysis of species

1

a . Synbranchinae . Gills well developed, on 4
branchial arches.

b 3 *. Eyes well develooed; teeth in bands; gill

opening small; vertebrae rather numerous.

^ynbr an^hus.

b c '. Eyes vestigeal; teeth uni serial, minute on
premaxillaries, well developed and obtuse
-ly conic on palate and lower jaw; gill
opening wide, extends upward above middle
of side; vertebrae fewer.

* Monopter inae. Gills vestigeal, on 3 branch-

man. nry

ial arches only; eyes developed; teeth in
bands; vertebrae numerous. Monopterus,

431

Genus Synbranchus Bloch

Synbranchus BLOCH, Naturg. Ausland. Plsche, vol, 9, pt.

12, 1795, p. 86. Type Synbranchus marmoratus BLOCH,
designated by JORDAN and EVERMANH, Genera of Pishes,
pt. 1, 1917, p. 53.

Symbranchus GttNTHER, Cat. Pishes Brit. Mus., vol. 8,

1870, p. 15. Type Synbranchus marmoratus BLOCH.

4

Unibranchapterura LACEPEDE, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 5,

1803, p. 658. Type Synbranchus marmoratus BLOCH,
designated by JORDAN and EVERMANN, Genera of Pishes,
pt. 1, 1917, p. 68.

Ophisternon MC CLELLAND, Calcutta Journ. Nat. Hist., vol.
5, 1845, p. 175, 196. Type Ophisternon bengalensis
MC CLELLAND, designated by JORDAN, Genera of Fishes,
pt. 2, 1919, p. 220.

Tetrabranchus SLEEKER, Nat. Tijds. Nederland Indig, vol.

2, 1851, p. 69. Type Tetrabranchus mlcrophthalmus
BLEEKER, monotypic.

Unipertura KAUP, Archiv Naturg., 1856, pt. 1, p. 76. Type
Unipertura laevis (LACEPEDE) KAUP,“ Ophisternon bengal-

m** 1 < 4 ng|iarym n<riwn r ■ i r ■■gninnm m m — -^F—irr- -nrf —nip nr imSSt

ensis M C CLELLAND, orthotypic.

432

Body elongate, cylindrical, tail well compressed, short,
tapers. Eyes small, covered by skin. Lips well developed.
Premaxillary teeth small, uniserial, expanded triangularly and
triserially at symphysis; stouter teeth on palatines and ptery¬
goids, conic, form single arched series; lateral teeth still
stronger, uniserial and expended pluriserially near symphysis.
Hind nostrils oval, above eye; front nostrils minute, near
snout tip. Gill membranes not joined with isthmus, have single
transverse opening. No accessory breathing sac. Branchiostegals

6. Vertebrae 127 to 137, of which 51 to 57 caudal. Wo scales.

*

Lateral line present.

The American form has been observed to live in marshes
which at different times of the year dry up. Though the fish
bury themselves in the mud similar to Lepidosiren the gill
filaments are well developed on the four branchial arches.

t

433

^Synbranchus bengalensis (Me Clelland)

Ophisternon bengalensis MC CLELLAND, Calcutta Journ. Nat.
Hist., vol. 5, 1844, p. 197 (204, 220), pi. 11, fig. 1.
Bengal. — KAUP, Cat. Apodal Fish Brit. Mus., 1856, p.

121, pi. 15, fig. 76 (under view of head) (Malabar).
Synbranchus bengalensis BLEEKER, Atlas Ichth. Ind. Neerland.,
vol. 4, 1864, p. 119, pi. (48) 192, fig. 1 (Java, Borneo,
Celebes). — DAY, Fishes of Malabar, 1865, p. 251. —

SCHMELTZ, Cat. Mus. Godeffroy, No. 4, 1869, p. 27 (Pelew

«<

Islands); No. 7, 1879, p. 59 (Pelew Islands). — POHL,

Cat. Mus. Godeffroy, No, 9, 1884, p. 39 (Pelew Islands).

— WEBER and BEAUFORT, Fishes Indo Austral. Archipelago,
vol. 3, 1916, p. 416 (Palima, Celebes; Mimika River, New
Guinea). — HERRE, Philippine Journ. Sci., vol. 23, No. 2,
Aug. 1923, p. 126 (Manila Bay, Bay Bay Creek, Apo Reef).

-- FOWLER, Mem. Bishop Mus., vol. 10, 1928, p. 35 (com¬
piled); vol. 11, NO. 5, 1931, p. 315 (references).

434

Symbranchus bengalensis PETEi S, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss.

Berlin, 1868, p. 275 (Quinqua River near Calumpit). —
GUNTHER, Cat. Fishes Brit. Musvol. 8, 1870, p. 16
(River Hooghly; Philippines; type of Sym branchus gutt-
uralis). — BEAVAN, Fresh ’.7ater Fishes of India, 1877,
p. 158, (Lower Bengal and coast district). — DAY, Fishes
of India, pt. 4, 1878, p. 657, pi. 167, fig. 2. —

SCHMELTZ, Cat. Mus. Godeffroy, No. 7, 1879, p. 59
(Pelew Islands). — KAR(5 lI, Termesz. Fttzetek, Budapest,
vol. 5, 1881, p. 184 (Siam). -- POHL, Cat. Mus. Godeffroy,
No. 9, 1884, p. 39 (Pelew Islands). DAY, Fauna Brit.
India, vol. 1, 1889, p. 71, fig. 28. — 7/E HER, Zool.

Ergebn. Relse Niederland Oost Indi&, vol. 3, 1894, p. 428
(Palima and Tjeurane River mouth Celebes). — ELERA, Cat.
Fauna ^ilip. vol. 1, 1895, p. 586 (Luzon, Manila, Navotas).
— VOLZ, Revue Suisse, Zool., vol. 12, 1904, p. 481.

REGAN, Trans. Zool. Soc. London, vol. 20, pt. 6, 1914, p.
275 (New Guinea).

Symb ran chus imnacula tus (part) BLOCH, Naturg. Ausland. Fische,
vol. 9, 1795, p. 87 (Tranquibar; not Surinam Material). —
SCHNEIDER, Syst. Ichth. Bloch, 1801, p. 524, pi. 103, fig.

1 (Tranquebar).

435

Symbranchus immaculatus BLEEKER, Nat. Tijds. Nederland.

IndiS, vol. 3, 1852, p. 438 (Bandjermassing; Calcutta)*
Ophlsternon hepatlcus MC CLELLAND, Calcutta Journ. Nat.

Hist., vol. 5, July 1844, p. 197 (204, 221), pi. 11, fig.
2, (dentition). Arracan Coast. MASON, Buruiah Nat.
Recources, 1860, p. 703 (reference).

Symbranchus gutturalls RICHARDSON, Ichth, Voy. Erebus and
Terror, 1844-48, p. 49, pi. 30, figs. 14-17. Dampier's
Archipelago, West Australia.

Tetrabranchus mlcrophthalmus BLEEKER, Nat. Tijds. Nederland.

IndiS, vol. 2, 1851, p. 69. Bandjermassing, Borneo.
Unipertura laevis KAUP, Archiv Naturg,, 1856 pt. 1, p. 76
(compiled)•

436

Genus Macrotrema Regan

Macrotrema REGAN, Ann. Mag, Nat. Hist., ser. 8, vol. 9,
1912, p. 390. Type Symbranchus callgans CANTOR, mon-
otypic.

Body naked, elongate, cylindrical. Tail greatly compress¬
ed, short tapers. Eyes vestigial, covered,by skin. Lips well
developed, lower reverted over lower jaw. Setaceous teeth uni¬
serial or premaxillaries, crowded to triangle near symphysis;
palatal teeth obtusely conic and stronger, uniserial, arched;
lower jaw teeth still stronger, single series expanded near
symphysis into semilunar band of 3 or 4 series. Front nostril

I

small than hind one, edges raised, near snout tip. Hind nost¬
ril lanceolate, opening obliquily above eye. Gill opening
forms single aperture which very wide and extends up sides to
lateral line. Four gill arches, all with well developed gills.
Vertebrae about 100. Lateral line present. Dorsal and anal
low rayless folds of skin, confluent with small caudal which
with 10 rays. No paired fins.

One species in Malaya. Smaller than Synbranchus and marine

in habit.

437

^J4acrotretna_call gans (Cantor)

Symbranchus callgans CANTOR, Journ. Asiatic Soc. Bengal,
vol. 18, pt. 2, 1849, p. 1316, pi. 7, figs. 1-3.

Pinang. — GUNTHER, Cat. Pishes Brit. Mus., vol. 8,

1870, p. 17 (type). — MARTENS, Preuss. Exp«t. Ost-
Asien, Zool., vol. 1, 1876, p. 405 (Singapore).

Synbranchus callgans BLEEKER, Atlas Ichth. Ind. Nederland,
vol. 4, 1864, p. 119, pi. (44) 188, fig. 3 (copied).

Ivlacrotrema Symbranchus c allgans REGAN, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.,
ser. 8, vol. 9, 1912, p. 390 (type; Singapore). --
WEBER and BEAUFORT, Pishes Indo Austral. Archipelago,
vol. 3, 1916, p. 415 (compiled).

Synbranchus lumbricoldes SCHMELTZ, Cat. Mus. Godeffroy,

No. 4, 1869, p. 27. Singapore (name only).

438

Genus Monopterus Lacepede

Monopterus LACEPEDE, Hist. Wat. Poiss, vol. 2, 1800, p.

139. Type Monopterus j avanensls LACEPEDE, monotypic.
( Monopterus VOLTA, 1796 in fossil fishes a different
name). Pluta SCHNEIDER, Syst. Ichth. Bloch, 1801, p.
561. Type Monopterus javanois LAClJPElDE*

Ophlcardla MC CLELLAND, Calcutta Journ, N a t. Hist., vol.

5, 1844, p. 191* Type Ophlcardla phyarlana MC CLELLAND,
monotypic•

Apterigia BASILEWSKY, f(ouv. M4m. Soc. Nat. Moscow, vol. 10,

1855, p. 247. Type Apterigia saccogularis BASILEWSKY,
designated by JORDAN, Genera of Pishes, pt. 2, 1919, p.
263. (Versus Apterygia GRAY, 1833.)

Unlpertura (KAUP) DUMERIL, Mem. Acad. Sci. Paris, vol. 27,

1856, p. 201. Type Unibranchlapertura laevls LACEPEDE,
monotypic.

Cryptophthalmus (not RAPINESQUE 1812) FRANZ, AbhartML• Kfcn.
Bayer. Akad. Wiss., Math. Phys. -- Kl., vol. 4, Suppl.
Band 1, 1910 (1911), p. 15. Type Cryptophthalmus
gobustus FRANZ, monotypic.

Unagius JORDAN, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1918,
p. 343. Type Cryptophthalmus robustus FRANZ, virtually.
Unagius JORDAN proposed to replace Cryptophthalmus

PRANZ.

Body elongate, cylindrical, compressed posteriorly,

narrow and short tail tanerin^ tn nni«f

iJ - taperln b to point, a ye small, covered by

skin. Ups well formed, rather broad. Teeth small, in bands
on premaxillaries, dentaries, palatines and pterygoids. Front
nostrils small pores near snout end in upper lip, hind ones
oval, larger, above front part of eye. dill membranes con¬
fluent, joined with isthmus, sill openings nearly transverse
ventral slits, only superficially confluent into single aper¬
ture. Four branchial arches, 3 anterior with vestigeal gills
and 3 moderate slits between. No scales. Dorsal and anal low

rayless folds of skin, confluent with small caudal, which has
few rays. No paired fins.

Apparently a single species.

Jordan and Hubbs say "The name Fluta Bloch and Schneider
(180) is prior to Monopterus (Lacepede) which until 1806
appeared only as »Les Monopterbus* M • This is not true as in
vol. 2, it occurs on p. 139, the date given as 1800 by Sherborn

441

Monopterus albns (Zuiew)

Muraena alba Zulew, Nov. Act. Acad. Sci. Petropol, vol.

7, 1793, p. 299, pi. 7, fig. 2.

Monopterus alba RUTTER, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadel¬
phia, 1897, p. 61 (Swatow).

442

Monopteru s albus JORDAN and SNYDER, Proc, U. s# Nat. Mus.,
vol. 23, 1901, p. 838 (Okinawa; Amami-Oshima). — JORDAN
and EVERMANN, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 25, 1902, p.

i

315 (Hokoto). — FOWLER, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadel¬
phia, ser. 2, vol. 12, 1904, p. (Padang). — JORDAN and
SEALE, Proc. Davenport Acad. Sci., vol, 10, May 22, 1905,

P. 4 (Hong Kong). — FOWLER, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil¬
adelphia, 1905, p. 488 (Marudi, mouth of Baram, Kapuas
River, Borneo). — JORDAN and RICHARDSON, Mem. Carnegie
Mus., vol. 4, No. 4, Aug. 28, 1909, p. 171 (reference).—
FOWLER, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1912, p. 8
(Batu Sangkar; Padang). — SNYDER, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
vol 42, 1912, p. 490 (reference for Okinawa). — JORDAN
and METZ, Mem. Carnegie Mus., vol. 6, No. 1, June 1913,
p. 24 (Suigen). — WE BLR and BEAUFORT, Fishes Indo Austral.
Archipelago, vol. 3, 1916, p. 413, figs. 210-211 (under
surface of head) (Java, Lomblok, Sumbawa, Banka, Bintang,
Natuna, Celebes, Ceram). — TANAKA, Figures Descript.

Fishes Japan, vol. 26, July 31, 1917, p. 455, pi. 128,
fig. 357 (Tokyo). — FOWLER, Copeia, No. 58, June 18, 1913,
p. 62 (Philappines). -- OGILBY, Mem. Queensland Mus., vol.
6, Dec. 19, 1918, p. 98 (Cov/an Cowan, Moreton Bay). —

IZUKa and MATSUURA, Cat. Zool. Spec. Tokyo Mus., Vertebr.
1920, p. 174 (Tokyo).— VINCIGUERRA, Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor.
Nat. Genova, ser. 3, vol. 10, 1921-26, p. 606 (Sarawak).

— CHEN, Bull. Biol. Lab. Sun Yat Sen Univ., vol. 1, No. 1,
1929, p. 44 (Foochow, Kaishing, Hianan).

443

Fluta alba FOOLER and BEAN, Proc . U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 58,
1920. p. 308 (Soochov/) . — KERKE, Philippine Journ. Sci.,
vol. 23, No. 2, Aug. 1923, p. 125 (copied). — JORDAN and

HUBBS, "*em. Carnegie Mus., vol. 10, No. 2, June 27, 1925,

#

p. 190 (Kyoto; Formosa). — FOWLER, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Philadelphia, 1927, p. 259 (Orion; Philippines). ~
NICHOLS, hull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York, vol. 58,
art. 1, Oct. 15, 1928, p. (reference). — WU, Contrib.
Biol. Lab. Sci. Soc. China, vol. 5, No. 4, 1929, p. 29,
fig. 22 (anterior body) (Amoy). — FOWLER, Proc . Acad.
Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1929, p. 601 (Hong Kong). —
SOWERBY, Naturalist in Manchuria, vol. 4-5, 1930, p. 300
(reference). -- FOWLER, Peking Nat. Hist. Bulletin, vol.
5, pt. 2, 1930-31, p. 28 (Tsinan). — CHU, Biol. Bull.

St. John's Univ., No. 1, Jan. 1931, p. 20 (compiled). --
FOWLER, Hong Kong Naturalist, vol. 2, No. 4, Nov. 1931,
p. 287 (Hong Kong).

444

M paaopterus jav anensl s LACEPEDE, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 2,
1800, pp. 138, 139, Sunda Strait, Java. — SCHNEIDER,
Syst. Ichth. Bloch, 1801, p. 565 (on LACEPEDE ) . —
SWAINSON, Nat. Hist. Animals, vol. 2, 1838, p. 336
(reference). — BLEKKER, Atlas Ichth. Ind Neerland,
vol. 4, 1864, p. 118, pi. 47, fig. 1 (Java, Sumatra,
Banka, Bintang, Natuna, Borneo, Celebes). — GtfNTHER,
Cat. Pishes Brit. Mus., vol. 8, 1870, p. 14 (Batavia,
Borneo, Sarawak, East Indies, Siam, Formosa, China,

Hong Kong, Ningpo, North China, Japan, types of Sym-
brancrius graramicus ); Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 4,
vol. 12, 1873, p. 250 (Shanghai). — SAUVAGE and DE
THIERSANT, Ann. Sci. Nat., ser. 6, vol* 1, Zool.,

1874, p. 18 (China). — DAY, Fishes of India, pt. 4,
1878, p. 656, pi. 169, fig. 1 (Burma). — BLEEKER,

Verh. KdVt. Akad. ?/et. Amsterdam, No. 5, vol. 18, 1879,
p. 4 (China). — PETERS, Monatsb. Akad. "iss. Berlin,
1880, p. 926 (Ningpo). -- KAROLI, Termesz, Filzetek,
Budapest, vol. 5, 1881, p. 184 (Palaboen; Canton; Ningpo
Sarawak; Mantang; Sadong Simunju). — DAY, Fauna Brit.
India, vol. 1, 1889, p. 70, fig. 28. — VINCIGUERRA,

Ann. Mus. Civico Stor. Nat. Genova, ser. 2, vol. 9, 1889
90, p. 357 (Bhame, Birmania). — BOULENGER, Proc. Zool.
Soc. London, 1890, p. 40 (Deli, Sumatra). --

445

WEBER, Zool. Ergebn. Reise. Nederland Oost. IndiS, vol. 3,
1894, p. 428 (buitenzorg. Tjubodas, Java; Sumanik Rfver
at Solok Island, Singhara and Mamindjan, Pajakomboh,
Sumatra; Tateadje Lake, Celebes). — BARTLETT, Sarawak,
Gazette, vol. 26, No. 368, 1896, p. 180, (Sarawak River).
—* GttNTHER, rtnnuaire Mus. Zool. St. Petersbourg, vol. 1,
1896, p. 219 (Hin»Hsien, Yang tze Kiang). — KREYENBERG
and PAPPENHEIM, Abh. Ber. Mus. Magdeburg, vol. 2, pt. 1,
1901, p. 21 (Pingksing). — DUNCKER, Mitteil. Naturk.

Mus. Hamburg, vol. 21, 1903, (1904), p. 187 (Pahang,
Kiang). — GARMAN, Mem. Mus. Camp. Zool., vol. 40, pt.

4, 1912, p. 123 (Vashan; marsh near Tung River, 6000').

— REGAN, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 8, vol. 13, 1914,
p 261 (Yunnan). — RENDAHL, Archiv Zool. Kon. Svensk.
Vetensk., vol. 20, A., No. 1, 1928, p. 185 (Chihli;

Anhui). — TIRANT, Service Oceanogr. Peches Indo Chine,

6 e Note, 1929, p. 99 (Cochin China; Cambodia). — SOWERBY,
Naturalist in Manchuria, vol. 4 and 5, 1930, p. 108,
(reference).

M onopterus javincus SHAW, General Zool., vol. 4, 1804, p. 33
— CANTOR, Journ. Asiatic b oc. Bengal, vol. 18, pt. 2,
1849, p. 1321 (Sea of Pinang; Malayan Peninsula). -- KAUP,
Archiv Naturg., 1856, pt. 1, p. 77 (compiled); Apodal Pish
Brit. Mus., 1856, p. 123 (Borneo; Cftusan; China), -- KNER,
Reise Vocara, Pische, 1865, p. 389 (Java; Shanghai). —
MARTENS, Preuss* Exp. Ost-Asien, vol. 1, 1876, p. 405
(Bangkok; Batavia).

446

Monopterus javanica MASON, Burmah A,| at. Resources, 1860,
p. 702 (reference) .

Moringua javanica ISHIKAVJA and MATSUURA, Prelim. Cat.

Fishes Mus. Tokyo, p. 189.

Unihranchapertura laevis LACfiPEl)E, Hist, ^at. Poiss., vol.

5, 1803, p. 657, pi. 17, fig. 3. No locality.

Monooterus laevis RICHARDSON, Zool. Voy. Sulphur, Ichth.,

4 ..!!■»■ mxtm II ■!. IIW J l ww —■ »

1844, p. 116 (China Seas, Malay Archipelago, Hong Kong);
Ichth. China Japan, 1846, p. 315 (Hong Kong).

Synbranchus l aevis MC CEELLAND, Calcutta Journ. M at. Hist.,
vol. 5, 1845, p. 220 ("Cayenne").

Symbranchus grammicus CANTOR, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 9,
1842, p. Chusan.

Ophicardia phy arla na MC CLELLAND, Calcutta Journ. Nat. Hist.,
vol. 5, 1844, p. 191, pi. 12, fig. 1. Sandoway on the
•Arracan Coast.

Ophicardia phayreana MASON, Burmah Nat. Resources, 1860, p.
702 (reference).

Monopte rus cine reus R ICHARDSON, Zool. Voy. Sulphur , Ichth.,
1844, p. 117, pi, 52, figs. 1-6. China Seas; Chusan;
Woosung; Ichth. China Japan, 1846, p. 315 (note). --
NICHOLS, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, vol. 31, 1918, p.

19 (Yunnan).

N

447

Fluta alba cinerea NICHOLS, Bull. Amer. Mus. ^at. Hist.

New York, vol. 58, art. 1, Oct. 15, 1928, p. 4 (Yunnan,
Szechwan, Shansi, Tungting Lake in Hunan).

Pluta alba cinerus CHU, Biol«|g. Bull. St. John’s U-iiv.

Shanghai, No. 1, Jan. 1931, p. 21 (compiled).

Monopterus? (vel Synbranchus?) xfcnthognathus RICHARDSON,
Zool. Voy. Sulphur, Ichth., 1844, p.H8, pi. 52, fig. 7.
China; Canton.

Monopterus xanthognathus NICHOLS, Proc. Biolag, Soc.

Washington, vol. 31, 1918, p. 19 (Fukien).

Ophicardia xanthognatha RICHARDSON, Ichth. China Japan,

1846, p. 316 (Canton).

Pluta alba xanthognatha NICHOLS, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.
New York, vol. 58, art. 1, Oct. 15, 1928, p. 4 (Fukien,
Hainan Island.)

Fluta alba xanthognathus CHU, Biol^$. Bull. St. John’s
Univ., Shanghai, No. 1, Jan. 1931, p. 21, (compiled).
Monopterus marmoratus (TEMMINCK and SCHLEGEL), RICHARDSON,
Ichth. China Japan, 1846, p. 315. Chusan.

448

Symbranchus marmoratua BLEEKER, Verh. Batav. Genootsch.

(Nal. Ich. Bengal), vol. 25, 1853, p. 78 (reference).
3ymbranchus eurychasma (KUHL and VEN HASSELT) BLEEKER, Verh.

a —-m m ■ ■■i w$ •• m ii ■ mu\m ■ -4 L • Jirinr1ri •"

Batav. Genootsch. (Muraen.), vol. 25, 1853, p. 59.
Apterlgia saccogularis BASILEWSKY, Nouv. Mem. Soc.. Nat.

i i - -V ' i - ■* ■■ i — ' — 1 >■ ■ *^*—*****

Moscow, vol. 10, 1855, p. 247, pi. 8, fig. 2, Chinae
Borali.

Apterlgia nigroma culata B ASILEWSKY, Nouv. Mem. Soc. Nat.

Moscow, vol. 10, 1855, p. 248, pi. 2, fig. 2. Pekin.
Apterlgia i mmaculata BASILEWSKY, Nouv. Mem* Soc. Nat#
Moscow, vol. 10, 1855, p. 248. Pekin.

Cr yptophthalmua robustus j?raNZ> Abhandl, Bayer# Akad. Visa.
Miinchen, Math. Phya. Klasse, vol. 4, Suppl. Band 4,

1910 (1911), p. 15, pi* 3, fig. 11. Yokohama.

449

Depth 1 3/5 to 2 l/5 in head; tail 2 3/4 to 3 l/4 in rest
of body; head 10 to 12 l/2 to caudal base, width 2 2/3 to 3.
Snout 4 4/5 to 5 l/2 in head; eye 8 3/5 to 10 l/4, 1 l/3 to 2
in snout, 1 to 1 2/5 in interorbital; mouth cleft 2 to 3; inter¬
orbital 6 l/8 to 8 l/2, slightly convex. Gill opening small,
inferior, extends forward about last fourth in head.

Dorsal and anal low folds, begin posterior to vent.

Dark blackish brown, belly and lower surface dull brown,
scarcely paler. Dorsal and anal sometimes with paler edges.

450

5501 to 5505. Malabon market. August 8, 1908* Length 230 to
428 mm.

6258 and 6259. Manila market. June 12, 1908. Length 368 to
393 mm.

17925 to 17929. Manila market. June 13, 1908. Length 304 to
400 mm.

7908 and 7909. Manila market. March 17, 1908. Length 350 co
358 mm.

5 examples. JU ». S. P. Batu Sangkar, Sumatra. A. C. Harrison
and H. L, Hiller. Length to mm.

4 examples. A. N. S. P. Padang, Sumatra. A. C. Harrison and
H. L. Hiller. Length to mm.

72553 U. S. N. M. Buitenzorg, Java. March 24, 1909. 0. Bryant

and W. Palmer. Length 174 to 310 mm. 6 examples.

83985 "U. S. N. M. Soochow, China. N. Gist Gee. Length 417 mm.

451

Family AMPHIPNOTDAE

Opercle .and subopercle extended posteriorly into very
thin membranous plates. Gills present only on second branchial
arch. Accessory breathing apparatus present, diverticula of
the pharynx on each side of vertebral column above gills between
skull and pectoral arch. Humeral arch not connected with skull.
Vertebrae.171, of which 65 caudal. Scales present.

S'

Fresh and brackish waters of tropical asia. These fishes
are noted for their accessory respiratory air sac which commun¬
icates with the gill cavity. These organs are two small blad¬
ders similar to the hind parts of the lungs in serpents. They
function by being filled immediately with air derived from the
atmosphere. Externally when inflated they appear as two round¬
ed protuberances. These fishes are truly amphibious and when in
the water constantly rise to the surface to take in air. At
times they have been found lying in the grassy sides of ponds,
similar to the habit of snakes.

452

Genus Amphlpnous Milller

Amphlpnous MILLER, Abhandl. K. Preuss. Akad. Wiss., 1841,

P. 246, Type Unibranchapertura cuchla B UCHANAN HAMILTON.

Pneumabranchus MC CLELLAND, Calcutta Journ. Nat. ^ist., vol.
5, 1845, p. 175 (192). Type Pneumabranchus striatus
MC CLELLAND, designated by JORDAN, Genera of Pishes, pt.
2, 1919, p, 220.

Palatine teeth uniserial, well developed. Gill membranes
nearly entirely joined with isthmus; with single transverse
opening. Branchial arches 3, with gill filaments rudimentary,
divided by narrow slits. Branchiostegals 6. Respiratory sac
on neck behind head communicating with gill cavity. Scales
present, in longitudinal rows.

453

hiP^^cuchia (Buchanan Hamilton)

Unibranchapertura cuchla BUCHANAN HAMILTON, Pishes of

Ganges, 1822, pp. 16, 363, pi. 16, fig. 4. South
East Bengal.

Amphlpnous cuchla C ANTOR. Journ. Asiatic Soc. Bengal,
vol. 18, pt. 2, 1849, p. 1320 (Chenaub River; Jehlum
i.i/cr). -- SLEEKER,. Verb. Batav. Genootsch. (Muraen.),
vol. 25, 1853, p. 61 (Calcutta); (Nal. Ichth. Bengal),
vol. 25, 1853, p. 78 (reference). — KAUP, Archiv
Naturg., 1856, pt. 1, p. 76 (compiled); Gat. Apodal
Fish Brit. Mus., 1856, p. 120 (India).— MASON, Burmah
Nat. Resources, 1860, p. 703 (reference). — GttNTHER,
Cat. Pishes Brit. Mus., vol. 8, 1870, p. 13 (Calcutta;
Chillianwallah; India). — BEAVAN, Freshwater Pishes
India, 1877, p. 157 (Bengal). — DAY, Pishes of India,
pt. 4, 1878, p. 656, pi. 67, fig. 1 (Seeb Saugor);
Fauna Brit. India, vol. 1, 1889, p. 69, fig. 27.— .

VINCI&JERRA, Ann* Mus. Civico Stor. Nat. Genova, vol,
2 ;, 1889-90, p. 356 (Biapo, Iado, Burma). — OGILBY,
Proc. Royal Soc. Queensland, vol. 20, 1907. p.

(Edcombe Qildgecambe?]) Bay) .

454

Symbranchus cue hi a CUVlfkR, Regne Animal, ed* 2, vol. 2,

1829, p. 354.

Synbranchus c achla SWAINSON, Nat. Hist. Animals, vol. 2,
1839, p. 336 (on BUCHANAN HAMILTON; error).

Ophlchthys punctatus Swalnson, Nat. Hist. Animals, vol. 2,
1839, p. 336 (on BUCHANAN HAMILTON).

Pn eumabranchus c inereus MC CLELLAND, Calcutta Journ. Nat.
Hist., vol. 4, 1844, p. 219, pi. 4, fig. Chusan and
Ningpo, China; vol, 5, 1845, p. 219 (copied).
Pneumabranchus striatus MC CLELLAND, Calcutta Journ. Nat.
Hist., vol. 5, 1844, pp. 192, 219, pi. 13 (compiled
from BUCHANAN HAMILTON) . —..MASON, Burmah Nat. Resources,
1860, p. 702 (reference).

Pneumabranchus leprosus MC CLELLaND, Calcutta Journ. Nat.

Hist., vol. 5, 1844, pp. 195, 219. Bengal.

Pneumabranchus alblnus MC CLELLAND, Calcutta Journ. Nat.
Hist., vol. 5, 1844, pp. 196, 219. Bengal.