FRESH-WATER FISHES OF SIAM, OR THAILAND 85 



from Bangkok with the linea transversa 14-1-3, while a figure pub- 

 lished by Fowler (1937) shows 11-1-5 or 6. Bleeker's original de- 

 scription gives 20 but does not show separately the parts of the trans- 

 verse line, 



A normal but not invariable character in this species is the presence 

 of a disconnected lateral line, with the anterior part overlapping the 

 first 6 to 20 scales of the posterior part, which is one row below the 

 anterior part. The variations consist in (1) a single lateral line 

 on one side, a double lateral line on the other; (2) a double lateral 

 line on botli sides ; (3) a single lateral line on both sides. Fish caught 

 at one time in one place may show all these variations ; and sometimes 

 all specimens in one haul of a seine or dip net may have double lines 

 on both sides or single lines on both sides. The interruption usually 

 comes at about the 18th to 20th scale, and the overlap covers 6 to 10 

 scales. In some specimens a large offshoot of the lateral line ele- 

 ments extends obliquely from the anterior part of each scale, upward 

 on the upper part of the lateral line and downward on the lower part. 

 Bleeker made no reference to the interrupted lateral line, and pre- 

 sumably his limited material did not show this feature; but Hora 

 (1923b) found it in his specimens from the Bangkok region. 



Giinther (1868, vol. 7) took wholly unwarranted liberties with 

 Bleeker's Paralauhuca typus. He regarded Bleeker's genus as syn- 

 onymous with Chela and suppressed Bleeker's specific name, giving 

 the fish a new name of his own choosing, so that in his Catalogue this 

 species is recorded only from Bangkok and stands as Chela para- 

 lauhuca Giinther ! 



The Thai name for this fish throughout its range is pla paep (flat 

 fish). 



PARALAUBUCA HARMANDI Sauvage 



Paralauhuca harmandi Sauvage, 1883b, p. 153 (Menam Chao Phya). 



Owing to inadequate description by Sauvage, the exact status and 

 relationships of this species have been somewhat uncertain. From the 

 only other species (P. typus) known at the time, this form appeared 

 to be distinguished chiefly by the increased niunber of scales in the 

 lateral line and the reduced number of branched rays in the anal fin. 

 Sauvage's statement "maxillaire s'etendant jusqu' au niveau des ven- 

 trales" is unintelligible. The type was 17 cm. long and was among a 

 collection of fishes from the Menam Chao Phya carried to Paris by 

 Harmand. No other specimens referable to this species have been 

 reported. 



Through the courtesy of Dr. Jacques Pellegrin, professor in the Na- 

 tional Museum of Natural History in Paris, it has been possible to 



590087—45 7 



