218 BUmFA, ITS PEOPLE AXD PRODUCTIONS. 



C. LYSAX, Forsk. 



The ' Madagascar Mackerel.' Nga-pyek. 



B. viii.; D. TnrHo; P- 19; V. i; A. 2TT^-r^; C. 19. 



Teeth anteriorly in two rows, posteriorly in one roV in the premaxillarios. In 

 the lower jaw in two rows. Some of the anterior teeth in lioth jaws rather enlarged. 

 Also teeth in a triangular .spot on the vomer, and in a pyiiform Laud on the palatines; 

 also on the tongue. The anterior part of the soft dorsal and anal elevated, the last 

 8 or 10 rays semidetached. Colour, six or eight large round grey spots like finger 

 marks on the side. Summit of soft dorsal black. 



Tavoy coast. 



Mason says he has measured these fish over 2A feet. 



PsETTUs, Cuvier et Valenciennes. 



Briinchiostegals 6. PseudobrancliiiB. Body much compressed and elevated. 

 Teeth villiform in jaws, vomer, palatine, and tongue. A single dorsal fin with 7 to 8 

 spines. Ventrals rudimentary. Scales smaU. Air-vessel bifurcate posteriorly. 



P. AKGENTEUS, L. 



Nga-poo-zwon. (Oo-chra-dah. Andamans.) 



B. vi.; D. nr^^; P. 17; V. ^H-; A. ^rhnr; C. 17. 



Ventrals placed close together like two spines, the rays being minute. Colour 

 silvery, with purplish reflexions, especially about the anal fin. The back yellowish 

 green, turning after death to plumbeous. A black band from the nape to the eye. A 

 second from the first three dorsal spiuos to the operele. Dorsiil and anal stained black 

 in part. Caudal yellow, margined behind with black. Grows to 7 inches or more. 



The Andamans. 



Platax, Cuvier et Valenciennes. 



ISranchiostegals 6. Pseudobranchioe. Body compressed and much elevated. 

 Tooth setiform, trilobed at thoir summits; some present on tho vomer. A single 

 dorsal fin with 3 to 7 spines, which are nearly hidden. Ventrals well developed. Air- 

 vessel simple. 



P. VEsrEKTiLto, Bloch. 



B. vi. ; D. .rx^w; P. 17 ; V. 1 ; A. ^.J^n,; C. 17. 



Dorsal anteriorly rounded and longer than its base. Ventral extends to the 

 middle of the anal. Anal * as long as the dorsal. Colour brownish, fins black, and 

 last -J of pectoral yellow. In the young there is a narrow vertical ocular band, 

 a second curved one descending behind the base of the pectoral, a tliird in front of 

 the tail, and a fourth at its base. The allied species P. toira grows to 20 inches and 

 is excellent eating, as is the present one probably. 



The Andamans. 



Eqijula, Cuvier et Valenciennes. 



Branchiostegals 5 to 6. Pseudobranchise. Body oblong or elevated and strongly 

 compressed. Mouth very protractile. Minute teeth of equal size in the jaws. 

 Palate edentulous. A single dorsal with 8 to 10 spines and 15 to 17 rays. Air-vessel 

 two-homed anteriorly. 



E. EDENTDLA, Bloch. 



Nga-pi-ma. Burma. 



B. v.; D. tt^tt; p. 20; V. A; A. -h; C. 17. 



Supraorbital edge serrated. Chest without scales. Mandible very concave. 

 Second dorsal spine arched and compressed. The third and fourth spines anteriorly 

 serrated on their lower portion. Colour silvery, greyish along tlio lateral line. Fine 

 vertical lines from the back down the sides. The soft dorsal greyish on its upper 

 edge. Base of pectoral grey. Grows to over 8 inches. 



Burma (ascending tidal rivers). 



