42 THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 



The second dorsal with from nine to twelve, the anal with three spines. No pectoral appendages. Pre- 

 orbital and preopercle armed. Villiform teeth on jaws, vomer, and usually on the palatines. No cleft 

 behind the fourth gill. 



PROSOPODASYS DRACAENA. 



Apistus drac^na, Cuv. & Vol. iv. p. 403. 

 Prosopodasys draoena, Giinther, Catal. ii. p. 140. 



B.vii. D.3|f. P. 13. V.l. A.f. C. 12. 



Length of head more than \, of pectoral above \, of caudal \, of base of dorsals \, of base of 

 anal \ of total length. Height of head \, of body \, of first dorsal \, of second dorsal \, of ventral \, 

 of anal \ of total length. 



Eyes. Diameter slightly above \ the length of head, rather above \ a diameter from end of 



snout, f of a diameter apart. 



The maxilla extends to beneath the anterior third of orbit. Lower jaw longest, with a 

 tubercle at its symphysis. Intermaxillaries slightly protrusible, and notched in their centre. Pre- 

 orbital with a strong spine, directed backwards, three quarters of the diameter of the orbit in 

 length. Preopercle with a long spine the length of the orbit, directed backwards, and four dull 

 points formed by an equal number of concave emarginations on its angle, and one on its inferior 

 limb. Opercle ending in two spines. A concave channel along the summit of the head, between 



the eyes. 



Teeth — Villiform in jaws, vomer, and palate. 



Fins Dorsal spines sharp but slender, the first arises over the centre of the orbit, the inter- 



spinous membrane is deeply notched, the second spine the longest, but all three are longer than 

 the spines of the second dorsal, the membrane of which is deeply notched, and the rays are 

 branched. Pectoral reaches to fourth dorsal ray. Ventral spine strong, slightly longer than second 

 dorsal spine, rays branched. Third anal spine longest, rays branched. Central caudal rays slightly 

 the longest. 



Lateral line — In upper fourth of body. 



Colours— Greyish brown along the back, and pinkish along the chest and abdomen. The 

 whole of the body, dorsal, pectoral, ventral, and anal fins more or less dotted with brown. The 

 caudal immaculate. A large black blotch between the third and sixth spines of the second dorsal. 



Grows to three inches in length. 



Habitat — Seas and estuaries of Malabar. 



Genus MINOUS, Cuv. and Vol. 

 Corythobatus, Cantor. 



Branchiostegals, six to seven : pseudobranchise. Head and body compressed, scaleless. Several bones 

 of head, especially preorbital, armed. One dorsal with from nine to eleven spines. Anal with from one to 

 three spines. Pectoral rather large, with one appendage. Villiform teeth on jaws and vomer, none on 

 palate. Air bladder present. Pyloric appendages few. 



