THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 37 



extending as far as last dorsal rays, and sometimes to root of caudal. Ventral spine moderately 

 strong, as long as that of fourth dorsal, its first rays prolongod. Anal opposite posterior three- 

 fourths of dorsal, second spine much the strongest and longest, its spines can be received into a 

 groove at their base, the length of the rays equals those of the dorsal fin. Central rays of caudal 

 the longest. 



Scales — Extend as far forwards as centre of eye, none on opercles, between the eyes, or on the 

 snout. 



Colours — Silvery with a gloss of bluish violet. Fins yellowish, stained darker at their margins, 

 about six dark greyish bands pass downwards from the back, in which are several round, brown, 

 or black spots, none of which descend below the middle of the body. The older the specimens 

 the more decided the spots, the less marked the stripes. In some old specimens there are no spots. 



Not rare in Malabar, or much esteemed as food. Grows to one foot three inches in length. 



Habitat — Aden, Seas of India, Malaysia, China, New Holland, New Guinea, N. W. Coast of 

 Australia. 



Genus TOXOTES, Owner. 



Branehiostegals, seven : pseudobranehiffi. Body compressed, oblong. One dorsal with five strong 

 spines, situated on posterior part of the back : anal with three spines, its soft portion and that of the dorsal 

 scaled. Snout rather produced, lower jaw the longest. Eyes of moderate size. Vfiliform teeth on jaws, 

 vomer, and palatine bones. Scales cycloid, of moderate size. Air bladder simple. Pyloric appendages in 

 moderate number. 



* TOXOTES JACULATOR. 



Sci.ena jaculatrix, Pallas, Spicil. Fas. viii. p. 41. 

 Corns chatareus, Ham. Buck. pp. 101, 370, pi. 14, £ 34. 



Toxotes jaculator, Guv. & Vol, vii. p. 314, pi. 192,- Cantor, Catal. pi. 176; Giin- 

 ther, Catal. ii. p. 67. 



B. vii. D. TT ?i3. P. 13-14. V. l A. ig. 3 ^. C. 17. L. 1. 28. L.tr.fzf. Vert. ]£. Coec. 

 pylor. 7-9. 



Length of head ^, of base of dorsal f , of pectoral \ of total length. Height of body a little 

 more than § of total length. 



Eyes — With axis of pupils vertical, diameter § of length of head. 



Body irregularly oval and compressed, its greatest width is behind the middle, and it is 

 more prominent below than above : back rounded, upper surface of skull flattened. Thickness 

 above pectorals equals more than half its height. The profile is a little oblique from the dorsal 

 fin to the mouth, and descends in a straight line. 



The length of the snout equals the width of the interorbital space, lower jaw slightly the 

 longest. Maxilla extends to beneath the posterior border of eye. Preorbital, lower border straight, 

 and finely serrated. Preopercle, horizontal border finely denticulated. Orifices of nostrils close 

 to anterior superior margin of orbit, the upper oval and larger than the lower which is circular. 



Teeth — A straight band of fine sharp and closely set villiform teeth in both jaws, vomer, 

 palatines, pterygoids, and tongue. 



