28Q ACANTHOPTERTGII. 



Due to an error, one of tlie smaller specimens was given to tlie artist to figure, it does not show the 

 dorsal spines so elongate, whilst the scales extend forward anteriorly to only midway between the base of the 

 dorsal and posterior edge of the eye, and a series of specimens conclusively shows that the scaled space 

 increases anteriorlj' with age. 



Habitat. — Madi-as, in the backwaters, up to 3i inches in length. It dies when placed in fresh water. 



5. Gobius polynema, Plate LXI, fig. 8. 



Chceturichthys polynema, Bleeker, Japan, p. 44, f. 4. 

 Gohius 23ohjnema, Giinther, Catal. iii, p. 4(5. 

 ParaclmturieMliys pohjn&na, Bleeker, Gobioides, 1874, p. 37. 



B. V, D. C I 11, P. 21, V. 1/5, A. 10, C. 13, L. 1. 28-30, L. tr. 8. 



Length of head 1/.5, of caudal 1/4, height of body 1/C to 1/8 of the total length. Eyes — diameter 4 to 4s 

 in the length of head, about 1 diameter from end of snout, and 2/3 of a diameter apart. Head rather flat 

 superiorly, as broad as high and equalling its length excluding the snout. Snout moderately rounded, cleft of 

 mouth obUque, commencing opposite the lower edge of the eye, jaws of equal length anteriorly : the maxilla 

 reaches to below the first third of the orbit. Barbels — several small ones below the lower jaw, and nearer its 

 posterior than its anterior extremity. Teetli — villiform, the outer row the largest, a small recurved canine tooth 

 on each side of the enlarged row in the lower jaw. Fins — the first dorsal about half as high as the body below 

 it, lower than the second which equals the height of the body : pectoral as long as the head : ventrals reach 

 two-thirds of the distance to the base of the anal : caudal pointed. Scales — ctenoid, they extend forwards to the 

 snout and on to the sides of the head: about 19 rows before dorsal fin, eight rows between the bases of the 

 second dorsal and anal fins. Colours — purplish-black, fins blackish : a black ocellus edged with white or yellow 

 on the upper portion of the base of the caudal fin. 



Habitat. — Seas of India to China and Japan : the specimen figured (life-size) is from Madras. 



6. Gobius macrostoma. 



Gohiopsis macrostomus, Steind. Sitz. Wien, Acad. 1860, xlii, p. 201, t. i, f. 6. 

 Gobius macrostoma, Giinther, Catal. Lii, p. 548. 



B. V, D. 6/11, A. 10, L. 1. 33. 



Length of head from 31 to 3f, height of body 7| in the total length. Eyes — diameter 6i in 

 length of head, 1 to 1^ diameters apart. Head depressed, broader than liigh. Cleft of mouth extending to 

 behind the posterior margin of the orbit. Teeth — an outer enlarged row : canines present. Scales — cycloid 

 anteriorly, ctenoid posteriorly. Fins — spines of first dorsal flexible with filamentous terminations, but not so 

 high as the body, soft dorsal higher than the spinous, or than the body, the two dorsal fins at a short distance 

 apart. Pectorals 5| in the total length. Caudal rounded. Colours — vertical fins with dark streaks. 



Habitat. — Bombay. 



7. Gobius viridipunctatus, Plate LXI, fig. 4, LXIII, fig. 4 (abnormal), and LIX, fig. 5 (male.) 



Gobius nuna mottah, Russell, Fish. Vizag. i, p. 41, pi. 52. 



GoUus viridipunctatus, Cuv. and Val. xii, p. 62; Jerdon, M. J. L. and Sc. 1851, p. 143; Gunther, 

 Catal. iii, p. 24 ; Day, Fish. Malabar, p. 110. 



Gobius venenatus, Cuv. and Val. xii, p. 85 ; Gunther, Catal. iii, p. 38. 

 Bichu gende, Tam. " Scorjiion goby." 



B. v, D. 6 I ^, P. 20, V. 1/5, A. i C. 15, L. i: 34-38, L. tr. 9. 



Length of head 4J to 4i, of caudal 5^, height of body 4| to 5^ in the total length, i'j/es— diameter 1/4 

 of length of head, rather alwve 1 diameter from end of snout, and 1/3 of a diameter apart. Head as broad as 

 high, and equalling the length of the head behind the middle of the eyes. Cheeks swollen, having many rows 

 of warts, and also pitted in large specimens : a large open pore in interorbital space. Lower jaw the longer, 

 cleft of mouth oblique, commencing anteriorly opposite the lower edge of the eye : the maxilla reaching to below 

 middle of orbit. Teeth — in both jaws villiform, with an external enlarged row in the premaxillaries, and two or 

 four canines; in the lower jaw there are from 12 to IG enlarged teeth, the outer of which is a recurved canine, 

 likewise there are from two to four canine-like teeth in the internal row above the symphysis, and some of the 

 internal row laterally are conical, i^wts— dorsal spines moderately flexible and with short filamentous endings, 

 its height 2/3 that of the body : the second dorsal and anal vary considerably, as seen in plates 61, fig. 4, and 

 59, f. 5, which sliow the two extremes, the last ray may reach only 2/3 of the way to the caudal, or even be 

 lengthened to beyond the commencement of that fin. Pectoral as long as the head without the snout. Caudal 

 rounded. Scales— cienoiA., smallest anteriorly, about 32 rows existing between the dorsal fin and hind edge of 

 the orbit, a few on the upper portion of the opercle. Colours — olive, with a series of four or five large badly 

 defined blotches along the sides : many scales with a light centre, which in life is of an emerald green colour ; 

 doraals dark at their bases, usually having light edges with a dark basal band. Ventral, anal, and caudal gray, 

 the last with a light upper edge. 



