56 ACAXTHOPTERYGII. 



Genus, 11 — Apocjon, Lacep. 

 Atiiia, Gronovius : Apofjonlchth)js, Bleeker : ^lonoprion, Poey : Mloiwrus, Krefft : Archamia, Lepidamia, 

 and Glossamia, Gill. 



Branchiostecjals seven : psewlobranchia present, usualhj u-ell developed. Opercle not spinate. Freoporcle with 

 a double edne, either or both of v;hicli maij he serrated, crenulated, or entire. Teetit viUiform in the jmvs, vomer, and 

 palatines, without canines: tonfjue smooth. Two separate dorsal fins, the first with si;v or seven spines: the anal with 

 two. Lateral-line distinct and entire. Scales ctenoid, as a rule lanje and deciduous, hut occasionalhj they are rather 

 small. CKcal appendages when present few. 



Geographical distribution. — From the Red Sea and East coast of Africa, througli tlie seas of India and 

 Malay Archipelago to Australia, and even beyond. These small fishes are marine, and are numerous in sheltered 

 spots" as inside harbours, and some have been captured at the mouth or even a short distance up tidal rivers and 

 backwaters. In the Indian region they are most numerous off the Sind and Bombay coasts, and Andamtm 

 islands. 



Jjses. — Although small, they are eaten fresh, dried, or salted, by the natives of India. 



The fishes of this Genus, after having been primarily divided in accordance with the number of spines in 

 the first dorsal fin, have undergone various subdivisions, the most popular of which seems to be as regards their 

 coloui'S. The lono-itudiually or ti'ansversely banded ones, those which possess or are deficient in the caudal 

 blotch, have been separated on several plans, and although such may possess advantages they appear to be 

 counterbalanced by marks sometimes disa]3pearing or perhaps never having existed in the specimen. Conse- 

 quently coloui- will still be omitted from indicating the position of any species, and the number of spines, rays, 

 and scales employed for this purpose. It seems also questionable whether any considerable value can be placed 

 upon the serrations about the bones of the head, especially of the orbits, as such appear to be more distinct in some 

 specimens than in others, and may vary with age. 



SYNOPSIS OF SPECIES. 



1. Apoqon muUit(eniatus, D. 7/^, A. f, L. 1. 38. Outer edge only of preopercle serrated. Pinkish, with 

 violet lines, alone the body : fins scarlet, the vertical ones having black borders. Red Sea, coasts of India. 



2. Apogon kalosoma, D. 7/i, A, |, L. 1. 3.5-;36. Outer edge only of preopercle sei-rated. Reddish, with a 

 dark band from the snout to the end of the centre of the caudal fin : another above it : a black spot at the base 

 of the tail : a dark mark on first dorsal fin, a band along the base of the second dorsal. Seas of India to the 

 Malay Archipelago. 



3. Apogon nigricans, D. 7/-|-, A. -g%, L. 1. 2.">-26. Outer edge of preopercle and shoulder serrated. 

 Greyish, with dark vertical bands and spots on the head. Madras. 



4. Apogon frenatus, D. 7/|, A. |, L. 1. 27-28. Both edges of preopercle sen-ated, also the lower edge of 

 the orbit. Three or four longitudinal bands along the body : a black spot sometimes present at the base of the 

 caudal fin : a basal band along both soft dorsal and anal. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago and beyond. 



5. Apogon tnniatns, D. 7/|-, A. f , L. 1. 27. Outer edge of preopercle and shoulder bone serrated. 

 Reddish brown; two vertical dark bands and a dark mark at the base of caudal fin. Red Sea to iladras. 



6. Apogon endehatauia, D. 7/^, A. f, L. 1. 2(j. Outer edge of preopercle, lower edge of orbit and 

 shoulder serrated. A dark median and four or five lateral bands, a dark spot at the base of the caudal fin. Seas 

 of India to the IMalay Ai'chipelago. 



7. Apogon quadrifasciatus, D. 7/i, A. f , L. 1. 2G. Outer edge of preopercle and lower edge of orbit 

 serrated. No median Isand : two along either .side of the body. Seas of India to the ]\Ialay Archipelago. 



8. Apogon fasciatns, D. 7/|, A. f, L. 1. 25. Outer edge of preopercle and shoulder serrated. Four longi- 

 tudinal bands along the body, one along soft dorsal and anal fins. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago and 

 Ijeyond. 



9. Apogon Sarayensis, D. 7/-}, A. f , L. 1. 26. Outer edge of preopercle serrated. Olive, with 4 or 5 narrow 

 vertical bands on the anterior half of the body : a dark band over the upper half of the free portion of the tail : 

 a streak from the eye to the angle of the preopercle : numerous brown spots on the head. Coasts of Africa, 

 India, and beyond. 



10. Apogon nigripinnis, D. 7/^, A. |, L. 1. 26. Outer edge of preopercle and shoulder bone serrated. 

 Greyish, with vertical bands over the body and free portion of the tail. Neither spots nor streaks on the head. 

 Vertical fins black, except the caudal which is yellow, with a dark edge. Seas of India. 



11. Apogon Wassinki, J). 7/^, A. f, L. 1. 25-26. Outer edge of preopercle serrated. Golden, with a 

 black head, four white longitudinal bands : fins orange. Andamans to the Malay Archipelago. 



12. Apogon aureus, I). 7/-J-, A. |, L. 1. 25-26. Outer edge of preopercle serrated. Pinkish, with a broad 

 black band over the free portion of the tail : vertical fins reddish, with a narrow black border. Red Sea, seas 

 of India to the Malay Archipelago. 



than in B. nama (B.H.) Blocker ; and of a dusky or infuscated hue, having silvery gi]I-covers and a greenish silvery stripe on each 

 side : fins paler than the bodv, with a blackish tinge on the anterior half of the first dorsal. 



D. 10—1-10 ?— A. 3-8 ? 

 One .specimen only from the Mutla. Presented by Major W. S. Slierwill." 



