6. MACROPUS. 381 



are nearly of equal length and meet at a right angle ; the lower is 

 slightly curved. There are ten abdominal and sixteen caudal vertebrae, 

 the length of the former portion of the vertebral column being to 

 that of the caudal as 1 : 1-4. The vertebrae are compressed, as high 

 as long ; neuraLs, hajmals, and the internenrals and interhsmals of 

 the spinous portions of the fins of moderate length and strength ; 

 the hiemals are longer than the neurals ; the first interhaemal and 

 hajmal form together a strong curved bone, as in OspJiromenus ; the 

 five following interhasmals are received betw^een the two bones men- 

 tioned. Ribs well developed, with epiplem-als. 



6. Polyacanthus cxipanus. 



Cuv. ^ Val. vii. p. 357. 



Brownish-grey, with a small black spot on each side of the root of 

 the caudal fin. Caudal rays dotted with black. {Cuv.) 

 River Arian-Coupang (Pondicherry). 



7. Polyacanthus deissneri. 



Osphromenus deissneri, Bleeher, Natuurk. Tydschr. Nederl. Lul. xviii. 

 1859, p. 376. 



D. 13. A. -. L. lat. 30. 



6 8 



The height of the body is contained thrice and three-fifths in the 

 total length (the caudal fiji not included), the length of the head 

 thrice and one-fifth. Pra3orbital indistinctly denticulated. The 

 upper profile of the snout is oblique, straight. Lateral line incon- 

 spicuous. Rose-coloured : a black band along the dorsal and ventral 

 lines ; two black longitudinal bands on each side ; the lower part of 

 the side of the head black-spotted ; dorsal, anal, and ventral fins 

 reticulated with black. {Bl.) 



Rivers of Baturussak (Island of Bawean). 



6. MACROPUS. 



Macropodus, Ladp. iii. p. 417. 



Body compressed, oblong ; operculum without spine or serratirre ; 

 cleft of the mouth rather small, not extending beyond the vertical 

 from the orbit. Small fixed teeth in the jaws, none on the palate. 

 Dorsal and anal spines numerous (13-18) ; ventral fins composed 

 of one spine and five rays, which are well developed ; the soft dorsal 

 and anal, the caudal and ventral elongate. Caudal forked. Lateral 

 line absent. Branchial arches with toothed tubercles. Air-bladder ? 

 Pyloric appendages in small number ; intestine of moderate length. 



Presh waters of China and Cochinchina. 



This may prove to be a domestic variety of a species of Poly- 

 acanthus. 



