Family X. Ophidiadæ.
(Blade-eels.)
A small number of Fishes, by most naturalists arranged with the Eels, the Prince of Canino elevates to the rank of a Family under the above name. They resemble the Eels in having the intestine carried far backwards, the anal orifice being removed to a considerable distance from the head; and in the dorsal and anal fins meeting at the point of the tail; the skin also is covered with minute scales almost concealed by being imbedded in its substance. The gill-openings, however, are large, and the gill-covers have free motion: the rays of the dorsal are jointed, but not branched; the body is long, and generally much compressed, so that these fishes have been compared to sword-blades. Some of the species are furnished with cirri or beards, of which others are destitute. Some are opaque and of dark colours; others are delicately pellucid, tinged with carnation or rose-colour, with black fins.
About five and twenty species are known, all of which are marine, inhabiting the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Some three or four are marked as British.
Genus Ophidium. (Linn.)
The body in this genus is eel-shaped, compressed and opaque; the head is smooth; the eyes very large; the throat furnished with cirri; there are teeth in both jaws, as well as in the palate and pharynx.
