72 THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 



along its extent, and slightly prominent at symphysis : the posterior extremity of maxilla extends 

 to beneath the posterior third of the orbit. Preorbitals, and opercles as in the C. Commersonii. 

 A moderately raised ridge extends along the centre of the head. Nostrils rather wide apart ; the 

 posterior, which is the largest, rather higher than the orbit : the anterior which is round, on a still 

 higher level. 



Teeth — Lancet shaped and laterally compressed, about twenty in the upper, and fifteen in the 

 lower jaw in which latter they are the largest, whilst they increase in size posteriorly. Numerous 

 villiform teeth on vomer and palate. 



Fins — First dorsal and ventral arise on a line, slightly posterior to the origin of the pectoral : 

 the second dorsal commences midway between the snout and the posterior margin of centre of 

 caudal fin : anal rather behind it. First dorsal spines weak and ending in soft points, the membrane 

 deeply notched. Second dorsal highest in front, with a concave upper margin : anal of the same 

 shape : the finlets commence close behind each of these fins and extend to the root of the caudal. 

 Pectoral rather pointed. Ventral small. Caudal deeply lobed with a soft elevated keel running 

 parallel with the base of either lobe. 



Lateral line — Consisting of small rectangular elevations, proceeds nearly straight, at first in 

 upper fourth of body, but becomes more undulating opposite the commencement of the second 

 dorsal, and very much so opposite third and fourth finlets : between the keels along the base of 

 either caudal lobe is a triangular horizontal keel. 



Colours — Generally the same as in the C. Commersonii, but after death numerous round 

 or oval spots of different sizes and irregularly scattered, appear in longitudinal rows along the 

 back and upper half of the sides. The membrane of the first seven or nine spines of the first 

 dorsal is black, that of the succeeding spines white minutely dotted with brown and edged with 

 black. 



Grow to three and a half feet in length, -are good eating and salt well : but when under a 

 foot in length are dry, from two to two and a-half feet long they are in the best condition, above 

 that they become coarse. They should be dressed when quite fresh. They are also one of the 

 best fish for making " Tamarind fish." Are found in Malabar from October throughout the cold 

 months. 



Habitat — Seas of India, Malaysia, and China. 



Genus NAUCEATES, Cuvier. 



Branchiostegals, seven: pseudobranchire. Body oblong, subcylindrical. Eyes lateral. Cleft of 

 mouth moderate. Infraorbital bones do not articulate with the preopercle. Two dorsals, the first reduced 

 to a few free spines ; ventrals thoracic : no spurious fins : a keel on each side of tail. Villiform teeth on 

 jaws, vomer, and palatine bones. Air bladder small. Csecal appendages in moderate numbers. 



* Naucrates DUCTOR. 

 Gasterosteus ductor, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 489. 



Naucrates ductor, Cuv. & Val. viii. p. 312. pi. 232 ; Giinther, Catal. ii. p. 374. 

 Naucrates noveboracensis, Cuv. & Val. viii. p. 325. 

 Naucrates Indicus, Cuv. & Val. viii. p. 326. 

 Naucrates Koelreuteri, Cuv & Val. viii. p. 327. 

 The Pilot fish. 



