104 THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 



All the spines have horizontal strife on their posterior halves, as have also those of the ventral and 

 anal fins. Ventral spine moderately strong and sharp. First anal spine short ; the second broader 

 than the second dorsal spine, and one sixth longer than the third dorsal spine ; the third weak, 

 and one third shorter that the second, with a bony serrated expansion anteriorly, the same as in 

 the third dorsal spine. Caudal deeply lobed. 



Scales — Minute. 



Lateral line — At first slightly concave, then very slightly convex to opposite the end of the 

 dorsal fin, from whence it proceeds straight in the direction of the centre of the caudal, but ceases 

 before reaching it. 



Colours — Summit of head and back silvery green, minutely dotted with black ; the remainder 

 of the head and body bright silvery, muzzle greenish grey, minutely dotted with black ; dorsal 

 and anal spines of a pale shining silvery tinge, and as well as their membranes dotted with 

 black j the base of the dorsal and anal membrane reddish yellow, the remainder transparent ; 

 margin of the dorsal blackish ; caudal yellowish white ; ventral white, reddish yellow at the base : 

 pectoral transparent, with a dark silvery band along its base ; a black spot in axilla. Iris silvery, 

 orbital half blackish. 



Very common : grows to six inches in length. 



Habitat — Seas of India and Malaysia. 



* Equula splendens. 

 Gomoeah karah, Russell, pi. 61. 



Equula splendens, Cuvter, Reg. Anim. ii. p. 212; Cantor, Catal. p. 149. 

 Equula gomorah, Cuv. & Val. x. p. 80. 



B. v. D. T V P. 19. V. J. A. T 3 ¥ . C. 17. 



Length of head ^ to \ in the total length. Height of body | to § in total length. 



Eyes — Diameter, a little more than \ of the length of the head. 



The upper profile is more convex than the lower, and the muzzle when protracted projects 

 very slightly downwards, forming a short truncated cone. 



A pair of small spines exists above the anterior margin of the orbit, and the cavity on 

 the head is about twice as long as broad. The lower margin of preopercle is finely serrated, and 

 its length four fifths of that of the mandibula which is slightly concave, and ascends at an angle 

 of about 35°. 



Teeth — A single series of fine setaceous ones in both jaws, concealed by rather fleshy lips. 



Fins — The second spine of the dorsal is one fifth of the total length, and three quarters the 

 length of the head ; the third spine is somewhat less in length. The second anal spine is two 

 thirds the length of the second spine of the dorsal, and the third is slightly shorter than the second. 



Colours — Upper surface of head and back golden green, minutely dotted with black, and 

 forming a blackish line along the base of the dorsal fin : the rest of the body of a silvery satin. 

 The muzzle minutely dotted with black. A little above the lateral line is an arched pale reddish 

 line joining the posterior third of the lateral, which itself forms the superior border of a broad pale 

 reddish band. Cheeks and opercles shining silvery. Membrane of dorsal hyaline, the upper half 

 between the second and sixth spine black, the rest edged with black. Caudal pale reddish yellow. 

 Ventrals and pectorals white. Iris silvery, orbital margin black (Cantor). 



Grows to four inches in length. 



Habitat — Red Sea, Seas of India, Malaysia and China. 



