MARINE FISHES. 205 



MU1LEXID.E 

 Mursena picta, Gunther. 



One specimen from Galle Lagoon. 



Opichthys timorensis, Gunther. 



Two eels, about 9 inches long, were obtained on Station LXV. (west of Cheval 

 Paar), which appear to belong to this species. The dorsal and anal fins are very low, 

 almost absent ; the former begins immediately ahove the gill slits, the latter a little 

 distance behind the aims. The tail is a little longer than the body ; the head is 

 contained 7 times in the distance between the snont and the anus ; the body is 

 lumbriciform. The teeth are small and pointed ; there are 2 rows on the vomer and 

 a single row in the upper and lower jaws. The coloration is almost uniform (in 

 spirit), yellowish, with brown granular dots on the back. 



CHIEOCENTEID.E. 



Chirocentrus dorab (Forsk.). 

 One specimen, about 12^ inches long, from Palk Strait. 



clufeidj:. 



Engraulis cominersomaiius (Lacepede). 

 A number of specimens, about 3 inches long, from pearl hanks off Aripu. 



Clupea fiinbriata (Cuv. and Val.). 

 From pearl banks oft' Aripu. 



Pellona indica, Swainson. 

 From pearl banks off Aripu. 



SCOMBRESOCDXE. 

 Belone, sp. 



A young fish, about -^ inch long, found in the Gulf of Manaar, is referred to this 

 genus. The characters of the young differ so much from those of the adults, that it 

 is hardly possible to determine the genus with accuracy. The jaws are not prolonged, 

 and the caudal is truncated. The dorsal fin has 23 rays and the anal 22. 



SCOPELIDiE. 

 Saurus indicus, Day. 



Galle ; very numerous ; also Palk Bay. 



Saurus myops (Forsk.). 

 Galle ; very numerous. 



