50 A Guide to the Zoological Collections 



The species found in Indian Seas are 16 in number 

 and belong to two genera, Acanthurus and Naseus. 



Acanthurus is found in the West Indies and Tropical 

 Atlantic coasts of America, in the Red Sea, and in the 

 tropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Naseus 

 is not found west of the Red Sea. Both genera, how- 

 ever, are known as fossils in the Tertiary deposits of 

 Monte Bolca in Northern Italy. 



Family XVI. Carangidce [Cases 48, 49]. 



The " Horse-Mackerels " and their relatives are a 

 large family of active, predaceous, marine fishes, many 

 of which are used as food. 



They are distinguished from the true Mackerels, which 

 they closely resemble in form and habit, by having 

 fewer vertebrae. 



Many of them being inhabitants of the open seas, 

 have a very wide range in tropical latitudes. For 

 instance, Micropteryx chrysurus, Naucrates ductor, and 

 Trachynotus ovatus are all three found in the West Indies 

 and Atlantic and in the East Indies and Pacific, 

 Naucrates ductor also occurring in the Mediterranean and 

 in temperate seas. This fish is known as the Pilot-fish, 

 "from its habit of keeping company with ships and 

 large fish, especially Sharks." 



The Indian genera Caranx, Trachynotus and Platax 

 occur fossil in the Tertiary deposits of Monte Bolca in 

 Northern Italy. 



Family XVII. Cyttidce [Case 50]. 



The Dories are a small family of marine fishes which 

 is represented in Indian seas by a single species — Anti- 

 gonia capros. Besides occurring in these seas, this species 

 is found in the West Indies, off Madeira, in the East 

 Indian Archipelago, and off Japan — generally at a 

 considerable depth. 



