TIIE FISHES OF MALABAR. 31 



Fins — Spinous portion of dorsal, occupies more than half the hase of the fin, where it can be 

 received into a groove Spines strong, each alternate one being broadest on the opposite side of 

 the fin. Interspinous membrane deeply notched. Fourth spine slightly longer than third or fifth, 

 which are equal in height. Pectoral pointed, fifth ray the longest, and reaching (when the fin is 

 deflected) to second anal spine, but when resting in its natural position extending to opposite fifth 

 anal ray. Ventral spine moderately strong, and equalling the fourth dorsal in length, first rny 

 prolonged. Second anal spine the longest and strongest, being five-sevenths longer than the first, 

 and nearly the length of the first spine longer than the third ; the spinous portion and first few 

 rays can be received into a groove at their base. The anal commences opposite first ray of 

 dorsal, and ends opposite its termination, between this and the commencement of the caudal the 

 finless portion equals the base of the soft rays of the anal. Caudal rather deeply emarginate. 



Scales — Widest from above downwards, placed in horizontal rows, some extending forward 

 as far as the orbits and over the cheeks, and some covering the base of the soft rays of dorsal, 

 caudal and anal fins. 



Lateral fine — Proceeds backwards and upwards for the first nine scales, then curves downwards 

 to opposite end of dorsal, from whence it proceeds direct to the caudal on to which fin it is 

 continued about half its length, curving upwards and crossing the lowest rays of the upper lobe. 



Colours— Greyish, the external margin of each scale being marked with a darker tinge. 

 Abdomen silvery. Fms margined with dark grey, also a fine of the same colour passes along the 

 centre of the soft portions of the dorsal, and anal. Pectoral dirty yellow. Eyes silvery. Specimens 

 captured in October appear greyish black, but become brighter after death, and the pectoral is of 

 a dirty reddish yellow. 



Very common in Malabar until July, when it gives place to the Diagramma nigrum, both of 

 which are known as " Black rock fish," and are excellent eating. The C. Calamara grows to 

 twelve inches and upwards in length. 



Habitat — Seas of India and Malaysia. 



Genus Ch^etodon, Artecli. 



Branchiostegals, sis: pseudobranchise. Body much compressed and elevated. Eyes moderate. 

 Mouth small, with lateral cleft : muzzle short or of moderate length. One dorsal, with the spinous and soft 

 portions equally developed, none of the spines elongated. Anal with three or four spiues and equally 

 developed with the soft dorsal. Ventral with one spine and five rays. The vertical fins more or less 

 covered with scales. Preopercle either entire or finely serrated, no spines. Teeth villiform, none on 

 palate. Scales large or of moderate size, finely ctenoid or smooth. Lateral line continuous. Air bladder 

 with horns or two divisions. Intestines with many convolutions. Pyloric appendages in moderate 

 numbers. 



Ch^etodon pr^etextatus. 

 Chjetodon pr;etextatus, Cantor, Catal. p. 156, pi. 3 ; Gunther, Catal. ii. p. 22. 



B.vi. D.^b- R15 - Y -h A.20.W C. 17. L.1.20. L. tr. 16. 



Length of head f, of pectoral \, of caudal f^, of base of dorsal §, of base of anal 1 of total 

 length. Height of head \, of body J, of hard dorsal \, of soft dorsal \, of ventral i, of anal \ of 

 total lenorth. 



