go MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XV, 



comparative descriptions, but the Tuticorin specimens perhaps 

 shew a closer agreement with the descriptions cf M. troschelii. At 

 the same time, they shew features similar to M. borneensis as well 

 as intermediate characters. M. troschelii is described by Giinther 

 as a Ceylon form, and it is therefore most likely that the species 

 in question is the same. I am inclined to think that Jordan and 

 Seale were quite justified in regarding these two species as synony- 

 mous. 



Liza troschelii is very common at Tuticorin ; it bears a close 

 general resemblance to Mugil planiceps, but from which of course 

 it is distinguishable by the absence of adipose eyelids. For 

 immediate recognition, the remarks already made regarding 

 M. planiceps apply here also. There are no striking characters, no 

 marked colour characteristics ; the features are : — 

 (i) No adipose eyelids. 



(2) Head flattened. 



(3) No elongated axillary scale. 



(4) The end of the maxilla is visible at the angle of the mouth. 



(5) The pectoral fin does not reach to the origin of the first 

 dorsal fin. 



(6) One-half of the base of the anal fin is before the origin of 

 the second dorsal fin. 



The detailed characters are as follow : — 



Adipose eyelids. — Absent. 



Inter orbital space. — Flattened; its width is 1% to 1% times the 

 diameter of the eye. 



Uncovered chin space. — Rather wide ; constricted in the middle. 



Mandibular angle. — The rami of the lower jaw meet at an angle 

 of about 112 degrees, i.e., " normal. " 



Preorbital bone. —Scaled, and serrated posteriorly and ventrally ; 

 bent at the angle of the mouth, but not strongly ; squarely truncated 

 posteriorly. 



Maxilla. — The extremity of the maxilla is exposed at the angle 

 of the mouth. 



Pectoral fin: Rays. — 16 rays are present as a rule, but 15 have 

 been noted. 



Extent. — The fin reaches to the 8th scale of the 

 lateral line, well short of the origin of the first dorsal fin. 



Axillary scale. — No elongated scale is found in the 

 axil of the fin, but sometimes a short blunt one is present. 



