THE FISHES OK MALABAR. I 15 



inferior angle of the maxilla is perceptible below tin- angle of the mouth, [nterorbital 

 nearly flat. Intcrmandibular space broadly lanceolate. On the vertical margin of the preop 

 exist three large wide glandular orifices, and a fourth just below the angle. Superiorly from the 

 centre of the orbit there is aline of four of these glands which passes along the upper margin of the 

 opercles, two others go towards the occiput, across which is a concave lino of four more. I '< is - 

 terior nostril large and close to the anterior superior margin of the orbit, the anterior one round 

 and close to the margin of the preorbital. 



Teeth — Not to be seen in a specimen twelve inches long. 



Fins — Pectoral broad, obtuse and situated rather nearer the back than the abdomen, it 

 extends to the eighth scale of the lateral line. Ventral arises under the posterior third of pectoral, 

 its spine strong. Spines of first dorsal strong, the fin is situated nearer to the snout than it is to 

 the base of the caudal : it arises opposite the end of the pectoral on the eighth row of scales of the 

 lateral line, and a deep groove along the back exists for its reception. The second dorsal com- 

 mences opposite the sixteenth scale of the lateral line, and nearer to the caudal than to the anterior 

 margin of the first dorsal ; the fin is highest in front and rounded posteriorly. The anal arises 

 opposite to the second dorsal and corresponds with it. Caudal slightly omarginate. 



Scales — Cover body, head, and bases of soft portions of dorsal, anal, and caudal fins ; they 

 are large, and the transverse series on the opercle consists of only three rows. On the body they 

 are twice as liigh as broad, and each has one or two fine longitudinal grooves along its centre ; 

 "below the pectoral fin some of these grooves run downwards and outwards. An elongated scale is 

 present at the bases of the pectoral and ventral, and also along the side of the dorsal fin. 



Colours — Greyish, each scale darkest at its margin, and with a dark raised line along the 

 centre. Fins dark greyish, edged with white. Pectoral nearly black. Eye silvery and greyish 

 above. 



Grows to twelve inches in length. Captured during the S. W. monsoon, when it ascends 

 high up the rivers, and is considered by the Natives to be a " fresh water mullet." It is good 

 eating. 



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



* MUGIL CARINATUS. 



Mugil CARINATUS, Guv. & Veil xi. p. 148. 



D.4|i A.f. 



Mouth much depressed : preorbital sloping, and making a very projecting angle on each side 

 of the mouth. The maxilla is visible at the angle of the mouth. 



Eyes — It is not stated whether adipose lids are present or absent. 

 Fins — Small and scaled ; the caudal is slightly emarginate. 

 Colours — Greenish on the back, silvery on the rest of the body. 

 Grows to three and a half inches in length. 

 Habitat — Red Sea, Seas of India, Seychelles, and the island of Guam. 



