106 THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 



* Equula OBLONGA. 



Equula oblonga, Cuv. & Val. x. p. 85 ; G'dnther, Catal. ii. p. 502. 

 Equula berbis, Cuv. & Val. x. p. 85. 



B.v. D.^xy. P. 16. V.J. A.^. C. 16. 



Length of head \ of total length. Height of body f of its total length. 



" A pair of spines above the anterior margin of the orbit. The mandibula is very slightly 

 concave ; the lower preopercular margin serrated." Giinther. 



Fins — The second spine of the dorsal is of moderate strength, and half as high as the body: 

 the second spine of the anal is a little stronger but not quite so long. 



Scales — Inconspicuous. 



Lateral line — Ceases before reaching the base of caudal fin. 



Colours — Silvery with a brownish or violet tinge towards the back. The upper half of each 

 side is scattered with round or oval blackish spots, unequal and irregular. Iris greyish yellow, 

 without any black spot. 



Habitat — Red Sea, Malabar, and Malaysia. 



* Equula fasciata. 



Karaii, Russell, pi. 66. 



Clupea fasciata, Lacep. v. p. 463. 



Equula filigera, longispinis, carah, et fasciata, Cuv. & Val. x. pp. 92, 94, 95, 



96, pi. 284. 

 Equula filigera, Cantor, Catal. p. 150. 

 Equula fasciata, Giinther, Catal. ii. p. 498. 



B. v. D. T V P. 19. V. i. A. &. C. 17. 



Length of head \ of total length. Height of body f of the total length. 



Eyes — Diameter t 3 q of the length of head. 



The mandibula concave and ascends at an angle of 40° : the fleshy lips entirely hide the teeth. 

 The cavity of the head is nearly quadrangular, and four ninths as long as broad. The lower 

 margin of the inferior limb of preopercle indistinctly serrated, and its length four fifths of that 

 of the mandibula. A pair of small spines above the anterior margin of the orbit. 



Teeth — In a narrow setaceous band. 



Fins — The second spine of dorsal flexible, and one seventh less than the greatest height 

 of the body, or three quarters in the length of the head : the third spine is rather more than 

 half the height of the second, and about one third the length of the second anal ; the third anal 

 spine is two thirds the length of the second. 



Scales — Small but conspicuous. 



Colours — Upper surface of head and back pale greyish green, minutely dotted with brown, 

 the rest of the body and head shining silvery. Fins yellowish white ; dorsal spines and their 

 membranes as well as the muzzle dotted with pale brown. Iris silvery : orbital margin blackish. 

 (Cantor.) 



Grows to five inches in length. 



Habitat — Red Sea, Seas of Malabar, Malaysia, Seychelles, the Moluccas, and Philippine Islands. 



