﻿Bola. GAXGKTIC FISHES. 79 



This is a \evy beautiful fish, found in the larger estuaries of 

 the Ganges. I saw only one specimen, which was four feet in 

 length ; but it is said to grow considerably larger. At the time, 

 I omitted to take a full description, and only noted the differ- 

 ences between the coibor and the description of the yjama, which 

 follows ; and I had no opportunity afterwards of supplying the 

 omission. It may, perhaps, be the Lutianus chinensis of La Ce- 

 pede, [Hist, des Foissons, Tome IV. p. 255,) although it ought 

 more properly to belong to his genus Centropomus. 



The coibor, in proportion to its length, is of a thicker formy 

 and it tapers less at the tail than ihepama. The colour on the 

 back is similar, but the sides shine like bright gold, and the 

 belly, and lower and tail fins, are of a deep yellow. 



The fore aperture of each nostril is very small ; and behind 

 the row of large tusks in the upper jaw there is a belt of small 

 compacted teeth. There are several sti'ong teeth on the inside 

 of the bones, which support the gills. 



The first prickle of the fin behind the vent is minute. 



4th Species.— BoLA pama. Plate XXXII. Fig. 26. 



A bola with nine prickles in the first fin of the back, and one 

 prickle, and from forty-one to forty-five soft rays in the second ; 

 with two prickles and seven soft rays in the fin behind the 

 vent ; with no bristle on the ventral fins ; with both jaws ex- 

 tending to very near the end of the snout ; and with the sides 

 silvery. 



At Calcutta, this fish, when from twelve to fifteen inches in 

 length, is that most commonly called Whiting, and is a very light 

 wholesome food, if eaten soon after it is caught ; but it soon 

 becomes soft. It sometimes grows to a large size, and is found 

 between four and five feet long. It is caught in great numbers 



