THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 



Body rather elongated, the profile slightly ascends to above the h1k.h1.1it, from whence it 

 proceeds nearly straight to the upper surface of the caudal. The slope of the lower is about the 

 same as that of the upper surface of the head. The abdominal profile is more convex than that i »f 



the back. • 



Snout rather large. Upper jaw overhangs the lower. The posterior extremity of the maxilla 

 extends to under the anterior margin of the orbit. The intermaxillaries form an acute angle, into 

 which the triangular extremity of the lower jaw is received : the symphysis of the lower jaw has a 

 tubercle which fits into a corresponding notch in the upper jaw. Operclc nearly twice as high as 

 wide : posterior margin convex, and advances so far forward in its upper portion that it joins the 

 anterior without leaving any appreciable superior margin. 



Teeth— None. 



Fins—Pectoral commences just posterior to the anterior superior angle of the opercle : dorsal 

 midway between the snout and the base of the caudal : ventral under the seventh dorsal ray : anal 

 midway between the base of the ventral, and the end of the scales on the base of the caudal. 

 Dorsal fin highest in front, the first three rays undivided, the third the highest in the fin, and the 

 last ray which is rather elongated, not quite half its height : the upper margin of the fin concave, 

 and along its base are two rows of thirteen obliquely placed scales. Pectoral pointed, with an 

 elongated scaly appendage at its base. Ventral triangular, with a long basal scale. Anal very 

 small, first three rays undivided, fourth the longest, and more than twice the length of the last ; 

 the lower margin of the fin concave, with 'two rows of scales along its base. Caudal deeply lobed, 

 and its centre covered by two semi-lunar lamina? of scales. 



Scales— Small, covering the body : a row along the base of the dorsal and anal fins, and 

 covering the base of the caudal. There are some rows of enlarged scales over the nape. 



Lateral line— Consists of a simple tube in each scale : at first it curves slightly downwards, 

 and then passes nearly straight to opposite the end of the ventral, and from thence quite straight 

 to the centre of the caudal. 



Numerous ceecal appendages. " Air vessel very large, spindle-shaped, terminating behind 

 " in an elongated point : the anterior margin is straight, with short pointed processes on each 



" side." — {Cantor.) 



Colours— Summit of head and back of a brilliant glossy blue, fading into silvery on the 

 abdomen : snout light brown. Dorsal and caudal rays greyish, which as well as the membranes 

 are dotted with light brown : both these fins are margined with black. The caudal semi-lunar 

 laminae of scales pale slate colour, the pectorals and ventrals white, with the anterior halves of 

 their external surfaces minutely dotted with dark brown, their elongated appendages bright 

 silvery. The anal white, with the anterior half dotted with black. Iris silvery, orbital half pale 

 brownish. 



Usually captured at Cochin in the backwater during the S.W. monsoon. It grows to a large 

 size and is excellent eating : it is termed the White mullet at Vizagapatam, but is inferior in flavour 

 to the true mullet : it is also said to be called the Milk fish. 



Habitat— Seas, estuaries, tanks, and mouths of some rivers of India and Malaysia. 



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