232 ACANTHOPTERTGn. 



Cliorrnenms tnla, Cuv. and Val. viii, p. 377 ; Jerdon, M. J. L. and Sc. 1851, p. 13G ; GiintLer, Catal. ii, 

 p. 473 ; Day, Fish. Malabar, p. 03. 



B. vHi, D. 7 I ^V. P- 19> V- 1/5, A. 2 I tV. C. 17. 



Length of head 5f , of caudal 4f , height of body 3f in the total length. Eyes — diameter 1/4 of length 

 of head 1 diameter fi-om end of snout, and 1^ apart. Greatest w-idth of head equals 3/7, and its height equals 

 7/8 of its length. Dorsal and abdominal profiles equally convex. Lower jaw prominent : cleft of mouth 

 commences opposite the upper third of the eye : the maxilla (which is unco%-ered from below the middle of 

 the eye) extends to beneath the hind edge of the eye. Greatest depth of preorbital equals 3/7 of width 

 of orbit. Posterior limb of preo])ercle nearly vertical, and its angle not produced. Teeth — two strong 

 canines directed a little outwards at the symphysis in either premaxillaiy, and several viUiform rows behind 

 them, laterally a single row of rather distantly placed pointed teeth : in the lower jaw at the sj'mphysis are two 

 canines anteriorly pointing a little forward, posteriorly two more directed upwards, laterally two rows of teeth, 

 the inner beino- considerably the larger : in a quadrangular spot on the vomer, in a pyriform band larger 

 anteriorly on the palatines, and also on the tongue. Fuis — dorsal spines overlapping and twisting slightly 

 laterally when elevated. Second dorsal commences midway between the nostrils and the base of the caudal, 

 its first portion equals 2^ in the height of the body, and is 1/5 longer than the anterior part of the anal. Pectoral 

 as long as the head without the snout. Ventral reaches 2/5 of the distance to the anal. Caudal deeply forked. 

 Scales — rhomboidal, and more or less pointed posteriorly, on being removed the outer half is found to be 

 lanceolate, the posterior more contracted. Lateral-line — becomes straight below the middle dorsal spine, in this 

 course it has an angular elevation above the last 2/3 of the pectoral fin. Colours — leaden-silvery in the upper 

 third of the back, silvery-white on the sides and below, a series of 7 spots above the middle of the sides, the 

 two first being intersected by the lateral-line. Summit of second dorsal black. 



Ealitat. — Seas of India, attaining at least 6| inches in length. 



5. Chorinemus toloo, Plate LI, A. fig. 3. 



Scomher toloo ixxrali, Eussell, Pish. Vizag. ii, p. 29, pi. 137. 



Chorinemus toloo, Cuv. and Val. viii, p. 377; Giiuther, Catal. ii, p. 473; Day, Fish. Malabar, p. 96; 

 Klunz. Verb. z. b. Ges. Wien, 1871, p. 447. 



B. viii, D. 7 I ^l^, P. 20, V. 1/5, A. 2 ] ^\^, C. 19. 



Lenoih of head 5f, of pectoral 1/8 to SJ, of caudal 41 to one-fifth, height of body 2>l to 3| in the total 

 leno'th. Eijes- — diameter 2/9 of length of head, 1 diameter from end of snout, and also apart. Body elliptical, 

 compressed ; a gradual rise to the first dorsal. Greatest width of head ecpals 2^ in its length, and 

 its heio-ht almost its length. Cleft of mouth commences opposite the upper third of the eye. The masiUa 

 extends to nearly or quite below the posterior margin of the orbit : upper jaw only uncovered in the last 1/3 

 of its extent : premaxUlaries equal to 4/7 of the length of the head. Preorbital narrow, but covering the first 2/3 

 of the maxilla : preopercle narrow, having its angle rounded and produced. Central crest of the skull distinct. 

 Teeth — comparatively large, in a single row in the upper jaw and in two in the lower, the outer of which last 

 is directed somewhat outwards, whilst there are two canine-like teeth on either side of the symphysis 

 of the lower jaw : in a triangular patch on the vomer : an elongated pyriform band, largest anteriorly on the 

 palatines, and on the tongue. Fins — the anterior portion of the soft dorsal elevated, similar to the anal, and 1/2 

 the height of the body, the posterior 8 or 10 rays of either fin semi-detached, and the last rather elongated. 

 Caudal deeply forked. Scales — small but distinct, and lanceolate in their exposed portion. Lateral-line — has a 

 very slightly raised angle in the first part of its course, but its general direction is straight. Colours — greenish 

 tino-e alono- the back shot with blue, becoming of a dull silvery below the lateral-line. Six to eight moderately 

 sized, oval, and indistinct vertical spots or blotches on the side, usually intersected by the lateral-line. Vertical 

 fins darkish. 



JLdlitat. — Seas of India, the specimen figured (11 inches long) is from the Andamans ; it is said to attain 

 eighteen inches in length. 



Genus, 7 — Teachtnotus,* {Lacep.) Cuv. and Val. 



Acanthinion and Ccesiomorus, Lacep. 



Branchiostegals seven: pseudoliranchice ahsent. Body compressed, more or less elevated, ivith the frontal 

 region prominent. Eyes lateral. Snout oltuse and su'ollen : cleft of mouth small. Teeth on the jaws, vomer, and 

 palatines, us^tally lost tcith age. Two dorsal fins, the first composed of spines having a small connecting membrane 

 (receivable into a groove at their base), and a horizontal one, directed fonvards, anterior to the fin : second dorsal and 

 anal with more rays than spnnes in the first dorsal : the anterior portion of the second dorsal and anal ■pointed ami 

 i-hmgated : tivo pre-anal spines separated by an interspace from the remainder of the fin : no finlets. Scales small. 

 Lateral-line unarmed. An air-vessel bifurcated pjosteriorJy. Pyloric appendages nmnerous, or in moderate numbers. 



Geographical distribution. — From the Ecd Sea, through the seas of India to the Malay Archipelago 

 and beyond. 



* CuHaHi, Tamil. 



