THE PISHES OK MALABAR. 213 



one-third longer than the orbit. Nostrils nearer orbit than end of snout, the posterior closed by a 

 membraneous valve, the margin of the anterior slightly elevated, so as to appear semi-tubular. 



Teeth — In pharyngeals in three closely approximating rows, sharp, pointed, and slightly 

 curved towards their extremities 4,3,2 | 2,3,4. 



Fins — The commencement of the dorsal is the width of two scales nearer the snout than to the 

 base of the caudal, and the fin is in advance of tho ventral. Anal situated in the posterior quarter 

 of the body, and entirely behind the termination of the dorsal. Dorsal highest in front, with a 

 row of scales along its base. A large free scale at the base of the ventral, which fin is rounded. 

 Anal highest anteriorly. Caudal deeply lobed. 



Scales — Large. 



Lateral line — Curved slightly in its anterior portion, then passing direct to the caudal. 



Air bladder with a constriction, dividing one-third from the remaining two-thirds. 



Colours — Silvery, with a line of black passing from the snout through the lower part of the 

 eye to the centre of the base of the caudal fin : above it a wide line of bright scarlet, extending the 

 same distance. Back glossy metallic blue ; abdomen silvery white. Caudal with an oblique black 

 band crossing the posterior third of each lobe. The other fins colourless. 



I received several specimens of this very pretty fish from the Rev. H. Baker, jun. who ob- 

 tained them in the stream at Mundikyum, in tho hill ranges of Travancore, where it is not uncom- 

 mon, and grows to about six inches in length. It is named after//. E. Sir W. Denison, K.C.B., 

 the Governor of Madras, who has devoted much attention to the natural productions of India. 



Habitat — Hill ranges of Malabar. 



PUNTIUS HaMILTONII. 



? Systomus Hamiltonii, Jerdon, Madras Journal, xv. p. 316. 



OOLEE PEELEE, Mai. 



B. hi. D. |. P. 17. V. 9. A. f. C. 19. L. 1. 24. L. tr. f. 



Length of head T 2 T , of pectoral \, of caudal T ? r , of base of dorsal \, of base of anal -j^ of 

 total length. Height of head \, of body \, of dorsal \, of ventral \, of anal } of the total length. 



Eyes — Diameter § of length of head, f of a diameter from end of snout, 1 diameter apart. 



Profile gradually ascends to the base of the dorsal fin, and sinks from thence to the caudal. 

 The abdominal profile is about equally curved with that of the back. 



Snout short : the posterior extremity of the maxilla extends as far as the anterior margin of 

 the orbit. One pair of cirri on the maxilla, equal to about half the length of the orbit. 



Fins — The pectoral commences under the posterior extremity of the subopercle, and opposite 

 its lower third : the dorsal opposite the end of the pectoral : the anal below the fifteenth scale of 

 the lateral hue. Pectoral fin pointed. Dorsal spines thin and weak, articulated in their whole 

 extent, the first very short, the second two-thirds the length of the third, which equals the first 

 branched ray : upper margin of fin rather concave. Ventral, first ray undivided, a very small 

 elongated scale at its base. Anal nearly square, its first unbranched ray very minute, in some 

 specimens indeed, not to be discovered ; the second and third very weak and thin. Caudal with 

 a broad base, and rather deeply lobed. 



Scales — With rarely more than two or three radiating lines on their exposed portions : the rows 

 are not quite parallel, opposite and above the fifth scale of the lateral line a new one commences. 



