89 



INDIAN PILOT-FISH. 



Naucrates Indicus^ Lesson. 



PLATE IL 



Pilote Indian, Naucratus Indicus, Less. — Voyage par Du- 

 perrey, i. page 157, pi. xiv. 



This species of Naucrates was discovered, during 

 the voyage above quoted, on the coasts of New 

 Ireland. It is of an elegant and graduated form, 

 having the tail, however, rather more forked and 

 swallow-like than this member in the Salmonidw^ 

 where we consider the form nearly at perfection 

 for swift and long-continued motion. The colours 

 are not bright, but are chastely shaded; and the 

 markings on the tail are bold and conspicuous. 



When the tail begins to diverge, from that now 

 illustrated, either by the rays in the centre being 

 elongated, as in the Eleotris lanceolatus, fig. 1, launce- 

 tailed goby, or in Lonchurus ancylodon of Schneider, 

 fig. 2, or by an excess or prolongation of the lateral 

 rays, as in the forms, are immediately diminished. 

 We pass through every gradation of form between 

 these two extremes; and when we examine those 

 fishes where a great power of locomotion does not 



