52 THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 



the lateral line the rows of scales pass at first obliquely upwards and backwards, becoming 

 more horizontal opposite its curve, and quite so from opposite the posterior extremity of the 

 anal. Below the lateral line they first pass upwards' and backwards, but not quite so obliquely 

 as the rows above the lateral line : on the chest, and beyond the posterior extremity of pectorals 

 they are nearly horizontal. 



Lateral line — First curves upwards, and opposite fifth dorsal spine it is slightly above the 

 upper third of the height of the body, from thence it gradually sinks to opposite the posterior 

 extremity of the base of the anal, where it becomes straight, and is so continued to the end of 

 the caudal. 



Air vessel — About one fourth of the total length, dilated in its anterior part, forming a rounded 

 lateral process on each side of the vertebral column. Immediately behind them the body of the 

 vessel is constricted, and the rest presents a broad lanceolate form, tapering backwards into a 

 sharp point. From each side proceed ten processes, of which eight are branched, but the two 

 posterior pairs, which are the longest, are either simple or bipartite. (Cantor.) 



Colours — A golden silver, the back dark purplish, cheeks tinged with golden violet. The 

 abdominal surface yellow. First dorsal tipped with black, second dorsal and caudal also margined 

 with the same colour ; these marks are due to numerous fine dark points ; pectoral brownish 

 yellow, dotted with black. Ventral and anal yellowish. Eye silvery with violet reflections. 



Grows to six and a half inches in length. Is good eating. From its air vessel good isinglass 

 can be prepared. 



Habitat — Malabar, Malaysia, and China. 



* SCLENA SINA. 



Coevina sina, Cuv. & Vol. v. p. 122. 

 Sci^ena sina, Giinther, Catal. ii. p. 292. 



B. vii. D. 10. | ^Lg . P. 17. V. i A. j%. L. 1. 46. 



Length of head \ of total length. Height of body \ to ^ of total length. 



Eyes — Diameter -J to f of length of head, not quite 1 diameter from end of snout. 



Upper jaw rather the longest, the maxilla extends to beneath the posterior half of orbit : there 

 are four pores on lower surface of mandibles. Preopercle indistinctly denticulated, its angle 

 rounded. 



Teeth — Villiform, with an external larger and pointed row. 



Pins — Pectoral longer than the ventral. Second anal spine one third to one fourth of length 

 of head. Caudal pointed. 



Colours — Greyish green above, silvery below, with a dark blotch behind opercle. 



Grows to one foot in length : it is little esteemed as food. 



Habitat — Seas of India and Japan. 



Genus COEVINA. 

 Coevina, Cuvier. 

 Bola, pt. Ham. Buchanan. 



Artificially divided from the Genus Scicena, because its second anal spine is stronger, and from two- 

 thirds, to as long as the first ray. 



