the fishes OF MALABAR. L53 



snout which is elevated at its extremity. Some elevatod, radiating linos commence from a short 

 distance in front of the anterior margin of tho orbit, and coalesce with those from the opposite 

 side at tho anterior fifth of the snout. Behind tho orbits are irregular radiating lines coalescing 

 on tho summit of the head with those from the opposite side. Opcrclo also with radiating raised 

 lines, and above it a longitudinal serrated ridge. An elevated, sharp, bony, lateral ridge extends 

 from the dorsal to the side of the caudal, it is most indistinct anteriorly. 



Teeth — Villiform, unequal, small in jaws, also on palatines, and from four to six on the vomer. 



Fins — Pectoral rounded, it arises just behind opercle. Dorsal in posterior fourth of the 

 distance from the orbit to the base of the caudal, its sixth ray tho longest, its upper margin 

 concave. Anal opposite the dorsal and of the same shape. Caudal lobed, with its two central 

 rays prolonged into long filiform processes. 



Lateral line — Commences above opercle, it consists of a number of linear tubes, deeply cleft 

 at both ends, which behind the dorsal fin change to short, bony, spine-like ridges, as already 

 described. 



Colours — Reddish brown above, becoming greyish on the sides, and white on the abdomen. 

 Numerous fine black points exist along the back. A silvery white band borders the lateral line. 

 Fins transparent, caudal filament brownish olive. Iris golden round the pupil. Dr. Ruppell 

 observed a lateral series of blue spots in some of his specimens. 



Grows to two feet in length. 



Habitat — Seas of India. From the Coast of Mosanibique to the Seas of China, and New 

 Holland. 



Fam. MASTACEMBELIDiE, Giinther. 



ScOMBEROIDEI, pt. CuVier. 

 NOTACANTHI, pt. Mull. 



Rhynchobdelloidei, Bleeker. 



Genus MASTACEMBELUS, Guv. & Vol. 



Branehiostegals, six : pseudobranchise. Body elongated, eel-shaped. Eyes lateral. Head elongated, 

 the upper jaw terminating in a soft, moveable, fleshy appendage which is not transversely striated inferiorly. 

 Cleft of mouth narrow. Preopercle generally with spinous teeth at its angle. Dorsal fin long, the 

 anterior portion composed of free spines. No ventrals. Anal generally with three spines. Dorsal, caudal, 

 and anal continuous. Teeth minute. Scales small. Air bladder present. Pyloric appendages two. 



Mastacemblus armatus. 

 Macrognathus armatus, Lacep. ii. p. 286 ; Ham. Bitch, pp. 28, 364, pi. 37, f. 6. 

 Mastacemblus armatus, Cuv. & Vol. viii. p. 456, pi. 240 ; Sykes, Trans. Zool. Soc. ii. 



p. 350, pi. 60, f. 2 ; Giinther, Catal. hi. p. 542. 

 Mastacemblus Ponticerianus, Cuv. & Vol. viii. p. 460. 



Mastacemblus marmoratus, Guv. & Vol. viii. p. 461 ; Jerdon, Madras Journ. xv. p. 147. 

 Macrognathus undulatus et Hamiltonii, McClelland, Cal. J. N. H. iv. pp. 393, 398, 



pi. 22, f. 1. 



B. vi. D. 35-39 | 74-87. P. 23. A. 3 | 79-87. C. 15. Csec. pylor. 2. Vert.ff. 



x 



