182 THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 



First dorsal spine laterally compressed, serrated on both sides in its upper third, the serratures 

 on the posterior margin being the strongest : it is also roughened anteriorly to its base : its rays 

 are longer than its spines, the posterior of which are the shortest. Pectoral spine rather shorter 

 than that of the dorsal, it is also compressed, serrated on both sides of its external third, and 

 rugose along the rest of its outer margin. Axial with the fifth ray the longest, from whence they 

 rapidly decrease to the last. Caudal lobed, but not deeply. Adipose dorsal twice as long as wide. 



Lateral line — Proceeds straight to opposite the commencement of the first dorsal, then 

 obliquely downwards to opposite the commencement of the ventral ; from thence it takes an un- 

 dulating course to the centre of the caudal where it divides into two branches, one passing 

 obliquely upward, crossing over the base of three rays, and ending between them and the next ; 

 the lower branch takes the same course downwards over the lower lobe of the caudal. 



Colours— Of a beautiful leaden silvery tint on the upper surface of the body and sides, which 

 fades into a silvery white on the abdomen and chest. The first dorsal has a slight pinkish tinge, 

 and is stained darker on its margin. Adipose dorsal slate colour, darkest at its margins. Caudal 

 pinkish, stained with grey posteriorly. Maxillary cirri, and snout rose-coloured. Pectoral, 

 ventral, and anal also of a rose colour. Eye of a rosy tint. 



Dr. Jerdon states, that the air vessel " yields a coarse isinglass, which is exported to Bombay :" 

 and Cantor observes that he believes in the Straits " their air vessels are preserved." 



Habitat — Seas and estuaries of India, Burmah, and Malaysia. 



Genus BATRACHOCEPHALUS, Bleeker. 



Branchiostegals, five. Head broad, depressed. Opercular bones articulated and moveable. Summit 

 of head granulated. Mouth very wide, anterior, cleft extending to under eyes. Lower jaw the longest. 

 Nostrils approximating, the posterior provided with a valve. Eyes with a free orbital margin. Cirri, one 

 pair of mandibular, fine and rudimentary. Teeth in jaws conical, with rounded summits, and placed in two 

 bands with a short interspace: abroad longitudinal band on either palate; none on the vomer. Two 

 dorsals, the first with one strong serrated spine and seven rays : it is situated before the ventrals : second 

 dorsal adipose, and short. Pectoral spine strong, serrated. Anal fin short. Caudal forked or emarginate. 

 Gill membranes united under the throat without a notch. Air bladder present. 



BATRACHOCEPHALUS MINO. 



Ageneiosus mino, Ram. Buck. pp. 158, 375. 



Batrachocephalus mino, Bleeker, Atl. Ich. iv. p. 48, t. 65, f. i. ; Giinther, Catal. v. 

 p. 182. 



B. v. D. j J 0. P. i V. 6. A. 20. C. 17. 



Length of head \, of pectoral \, of caudal ^, of base of first dorsal ^ 4 , of base of second 

 dorsal -^f, of base of anal £ of total length. Height of head J-, of body § , of first dorsal -J, of 

 second dorsal y^, of ventral ^, of anal ) of total length. 



Eyes — Oval. Horizontal diameter f , vertical diameter J in length of head, § of a diameter 

 from end of snout, 1-J- diameters apart. 



