304 FISTULAlllD.E. 



but their points project beyond the membrane by which 

 they are united ; the rays of the second dorsal fin are soft. 

 The shape of the body is oval, compressed ; the pectoral fin 

 small ; the ventral fins also small, with a depression behind 

 in which they can be lodged. The anal fin is elongated, 

 the rays short. The whole number of fin-rays are — 



D. 4. 12 : P. 17 : V. 4 : A. 18 : C. 16. 



The colour of the back is red, the sides rather lighter ; 

 sides of the head and belly silvery, tinged with gold colour ; 

 the scales on the body hard, rough, minutely ciliated at 

 the free edge, and the surface granulated. All the fins 

 greyish white. 



