THE FISHES OF MALABAE 



(17 



arched, half-barbed tooth. ' The resi of the space is occupied by some distanl lancet shaped t, . tl,. 

 of which those in the middle are the largest. On each side of the symphysis of the lower [aw 

 appears an arched tooth, liko the corresponding one in the Iowerjaw, but shorter. Behind the tooth 

 is a vacant space, followed by upwards of twelve lancet shaped teeth, which with the exception 

 of one or two half barbed in the middle, are smaller than the corresponding ones in the upper jaw. 

 Along the margin of each palatine bone is a series of velvety teeth. Tongue smooth. 



Fins — The anterior dorsal ray is one-fourth of length of head. 



Colours— Upper surface of head, back, and naked point of tail bluish Mack, light silvery on 

 the jaws, sides of head, and body : abdomen of a brilliant silver. Dorsal rays and membrane pale 

 reddish yellow, the whole of the latter to the twelfth ray, and from thence only its upper half 

 minutely dotted with black. Anterior third of pectorals pale reddish yellow, the rest blackish. 1 ris 

 silvery blue, blackish towards the orbit. The young are lighter in colour. 



Grows to two feet eight inches in length, is eaten fresh or salted. It is of voracious habits, 

 devouring its own kind as well as other fishes and Crustacea. 



Habitat — Seas and estuaries of India, Malaysia and China. 



* Trichiurus savala. 



Trichiurus savala, Cuv. & Vol. viii. p. 251 ; Cantor, Catal. p. 115 ; Gunther, CataLii. 



p. 347. 

 Trichiurus armatus, Gray, El. I. Z. pi. 93, f. 1. 



B. vii. D. 112-120. P. 11. 



Length of head -^ to ^ of the length of body. Height of body ^ to ^ of total length. 



Eyes — Diameter T 2 T to ^ of length of head, 3£ diameters in length of snout, 1 diameter apart. 

 Interorbital space flat. 



Teeth — The lancet shaped teeth of the jaws are proportionably smaller than in the T. haumela, 

 which species it much resembles. 



Colours —Upper surface of head, back, and naked point of the tail bluish, all the other parts 

 of a shining silver. Dorsal and pectoral rays yellowish white, their membranes diaphanous. 

 Iris silvery, bluish towards the orbit. 



Grows to one foot four inches in length, and is eaten both fresh and salted by the Natives. Is 

 captured most abundantly in Aptril and May. 



Habitat — Seas and estuaries of India, Malaysia, and China. 



Fam. SCOMBRIDiE. 

 Genus SCOMBER, Artedi. 



Branchiostegals, seven : pseudobranchiae. Body rather elongate and compressed. Eyes lateral. 

 Cleft of mouth wide. Infraorbital bones do not articulate with the preopercle. Two dorsals, the first 

 spinous and separated by an interspace from the second, behind which and also behind the anal are five or 

 six finlets : the spinous dorsal is less developed than the soft dorsal, or than the anal : ventrals thoracic ; 

 two slight ridges on either side of root of caudal ; gill openings wide. Teeth small on jaws, vomer, and 

 palatine bones. Scales small. Air bladder simple, but absent in some species. Pyloric appendages very 



numerous. 



K 2 



