ccxlix 



Genus — Ambassis, Commerson. 



Chanda, Hamilton Buchanan ; Bogoda, pt., Bleeker. 



Branchiostegals six. Body compressed, more or less diaphanous. 

 Lower limb of pre-opercle with a double denticulated edge: opercle without 

 a prominent spine. Villiform teeth on the jaws and palate, generally no 

 canines. Two dorsal fins, the first with seven, the anal with three spines: 

 a recumbent spine directed forwards in front of the base of the dorsal fin. 

 Scales of moderate or small size, frequently deciduous. Lateral line 

 complete, interrupted or absent. 



2. Ambassis nalua, Ham. Buch., B. vi. D. 1 I\qI\\, A. §=io, L. 1. 30. 

 Lateral line continuous. Lower Bengal to a few inches in length. 



3. Ambassis ranga, Ham. Buch. Chandee, Ooriah and Beng. B. vi. 



L\ 7/f2^i4, A. 13^15, L. 1. 58. Found in Bengal and Madras to a few 

 inches in length. 



A. Ambassis baculis, Ham. Buch. Kung-gi, Panj.; Nga-koun-ma or 



1 3 



Nga-zin-zat, Burm. B. vi. D. 7/i3=r 5j A. j^. Scales minute. Found 

 throughout India and Burma, very similar to the last. 



5. Ambassis Thomassi, Day. Mullu-cheru, Mai. B. vi. D. 7/fij A. k>j 

 L. 1. 38, L. tr. 6/13. Western Coast of India. 



6. Ambassis nama, Ham. Buch. Mucknee and Ched-du-ah, Panjab ; 



Pud-du and Put-to-lah, Sindee : Ak-ku-rati, Telugu : Buck-ra aud Pom- 



1 3 



pi-ah, North-West Provinces; Cart-kana, Ooriah. B. vi. D. 7/n,, A. 15* 



Lateral line absent. A small fresh-water fish found throughout India. 



7. Ambassis lala, Ham. Buch. Pee-dah, Sind; Chandee, North- 



1 3 



West Provinces ; Laal chandee, Ooriah. B. vi. D. 7/n, A. n- Scales 



minute : lateral line absent. Orange with four or five vertical bands, 



first dorsal nearly black. Found throughout the continent of India 



except Madras. Only attains a few inches in length. 



Family — Pristipomatid^;. 



Percoidei, pt., Scicenoidei, pt., Sparoidei, pt., et Manides, pt., Cuv. : 

 Theraponida, pt., Hcemulonida, pt., Sparidce, pt., et Mcenides, pt., 

 Richardson. 



Branchiostegals from five to seven. Pseudobranchife, usually well developed. Body- 

 oblong, compressed. Eyes of medium size, lateral. Mouth moderately or very 

 protractile, placed in front of the snout, and with a lateral cleft, Muciferous 

 system of the head rudimentary or slightly developed. Pre-opercle serrated or 

 entire, barbels absent. Teeth in villiform bands, with conical canines in some 

 genera, but neither molars nor cutting ones in the jaws : palate usually edentu- 

 lous. A single dorsal fin, the spinous and soft portion being of about equal 

 extent, the first containing sti'ong spines, or continuous with the soft : anal 

 mostly with three spines, its soft portion similar to that of the dorsal: lower 

 pectoral rays branched : ventrals thoracic with one spine and five rays. Scales 

 finely ctenoid or cycloid, extending over the body and head ; cheeks not cuirassed. 

 Lateral line continuous. Air-vessel present, more or less simple. Stomach csecal. 

 Pyloric appendages few, or in moderate numbers. 



Genus — Therapon, Cuv. 



Datnia, Cuv. and Val. : P elates, Cuv. 



Branchiostegals six. Eyes of moderate size. Opercle with spines : pre- 

 opercle serrated. Teeth villiform in both jaws, the outer being sometimes 



