128 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL lUST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXV. 



After dark when sport was slack the members of the party in the cutter 

 would amuse themselves by beating one of the cushions violently every few 

 minutes ! This continual hammering was usually a sure '^ draw " for the 

 locals. One by one they would up anchor and row in closer to the cutter 

 until it was ringed with a circle of dug-outs. The hoax would then be 

 disclosed, and the victims would join heartily in the general laugh! The 

 party in the cutter, which would probably comprise as many as 9 hand- 

 lines, would frequently bring back dui'ing an evening's jaunt between 30 

 and 40 coopers, averaging from 5 to 6 lbs. each. 



The second species of sea-bream which the bottom- angler may encounter 

 is a member of the genus Chrysophrys, and in local parlance is the 



DuKH Mullah. 

 (Mullah's daughter) 

 Chryso2)hvys liaffara. 



The following description was taken from a specimen weighing 1 lb. 9 oz. 



Head. — The median line from nose to fore-head is straight, neither con- 

 vex nor concave. ■ 



Mouth. — There are distinct upper and lower lips which are non-prehensile. 



Teeth. — Are characteristic ; at extremities of upper and lower jaw an- 

 four conical incisor teeth placed at the same angle as those of a rodent 

 or very old horse. They are of considerable length and thickness and are 

 set in tissue resembling very much the gums of a human being. On each 

 side of the upper jaw are four rows of dome-shaped crushing teeth, and .!') 

 corresponding rows on each side of the lower jaw. The gullet is provided 

 with a pad above and below supporting sharp villiform teeth. 



Eye. — Large, immediately in front of each eye is a prominent bump; iris 

 bright gold. 



Fins — dorsal. — Consists of one tin divided into two portions. Anterior 

 portion is composed of 11 exceedingly sharp and strong spines con- 

 nected by transparent membrane, the first is very short, the second is also 

 short and about ^ the length of the third spine ; the remainder are pro- 

 minent ; the anterior portion fits into a groove in back. 



Pectoral. — Rayed and of medium length. 



Pelvic. — Of considerable size, rayed, except exteriorly where there is a 

 strong, hard and sharp spine. 



Anal. — Consists anteriorly of one small sharp spine, followed by a long 

 and very stout sharp spine, and a third spine not so stout, but equally 

 sharp. The remaining portion is rayed. 



Caudal. — Forked and rayed. 



Colour is distinctive. A broad splash of bright gold under each eye 

 connected across bridge of nose by bright gold band ; dorsal fin bright 

 gold ; caudal orange tipped with bright gold. Pelvic fin is black, streaked 

 with milky white ; posterior portion of gill-plates bluish-black ; sides and 

 belly a net- work of bluish-brown on a milky white back-ground. 



Lateral line. — Curves upwards from top of gill-plate and gradually 

 descends to tail : it is very slightly ridged. 



Remarks. — This fish is by no means common. Like the cooper its flesh is 

 excellent for table purposes. Its maximum growth would probably be; 

 about G lbs. 



We have now arrived at the last family on the list of bottom feeders, w.;., 

 the 



PEUClD.ii\ 



Of this family two genera are represented, each by one individual 

 species. The first species termed locally the 



