ccxlviii 



FRESH-WATER PISHES OE INDIA. 



430. The fresh-water fishes are divisible into those which are 



, „ , strictly so, and marine ones which ascend 



The fresh-water fishes of In- i .• i in p i j- _ .„j„ 



dia above tidal influence tor breeding or preda- 



ceous purposes. The following list enu- 

 merates those at present known and described, with their geographical 

 range, their native names (the pronunciation of the latter in accordance 

 with the English language), and the size they attain to : — 



Sub-class— TELEOSTEI. 



Eishes having an osseous skeleton, completely separated 

 vertebrae, and the posterior extremity of the vertebral 

 column either bony or armed with bony plates. Bulb 

 of aorta simple, with a pair of valves at its origin. 

 Branchiae free. 



Order— A CANTHOPTERYGII. 



A portion of the dorsal, anal, and ventral fin-rays unarticulated, forming 

 spines. Air-vessel, when present, completely closed, not having a 

 pneumatic duct. 



Family — PERCiDiE, Cuv. 



Percoidei, pt., Cuvier : Percida, pt., and Theraponida, pt., Richardson. 



Branchiostegals from five to seven : pseudobranchise, as a rule, present. Form of body- 

 generally oblong. Eyes lateral. All or some of the opercles (except in Apsilus) 

 serrated or armed. Mouth in front of snout, having a lateral cleft, occasionally 

 situated on the lower side. A barbel on the lower jaw in Pogonoperca. Teeth 

 villiform or conical in the jaws, canines occasionally present, the vomer and 

 generally the palatines armed with teeth. Anterior portion of dorsal fin spinous : 

 ventrals thoracic, each having one spine and five rays. Scales ctenoid. Lateral 

 line, when present, continuous, except in some species of Ambassis. Air-vessel 

 usually present, and, when so, simple. Pyloric appendages in varying numbers. 



Genus — Lates, Cuv. Sf Val. 



Branchiostegals seven : pseudobranchia. Pre-orbital and shoulder 

 bone serrated: pre-opercle with strong spines at its angle, and denticulated 

 along its horizontal limb : opercle spinate. Teeth villiform on jaws, vomer 

 and palatine bones : tongue smooth. First dorsal Jin with seven or eight, 

 anal with three spines : caudal rounded. Scales of moderate size. Ccecal 

 pylori feiv. 



1. Lates calcarifer, Bloch. This marine, predaceous fish ascends 

 all the large rivers of India and Burma. Dangara, Sindee : Nuddee meen 

 or Nair meen, Malyalim : Painnee meen, Tamil : Pandu kopah or Pandu 

 meenu, Telugu : JJiirruah, Ooriah : Begti, Bengal : Cock-up of Euro- 

 peans. D. 7-8/ TT i T 2, A. si\, L. 1. 52-60, L. tr. 7/12, Caec. pyl. 3. Of a 

 grey colour. It attains several feet in length. 



