267 



opposite to anal, which is usually longer, has a single weak 

 spine but resembles it otherwise. Ventral fins small, usually 

 abdominal. Pelvic bones connected by ligament to the cleithra. 

 Pectorals moderate or small, inserted high up. Caudal emar- 

 ginate. Third and fourth superior pharyngeals of each side 

 anchylosed, bearing teeth. Lower pharyngeals separate. No 

 filtering apparatus. Gillopenings wide. Gillmembranes not con- 

 nected, free from isthmus. Branchiostegals 5 or 6. Gillrakers 

 usually long and slender. Vertebrae numerous, 32 — 60. 



Carnivorous fishes of small size, often living in shoals along 

 the coasts of tropical and temperate seas, some entering rivers, 

 other living only in fresh water. 



Synopsis of the i n d o - a u s tr a 1 i a n A t h e r i n i d a e. 



I. Origin of anal far distant from first dorsal. 



1. N'ent about in middle of distance between snout 

 and caudal. Origin of first dorsal above, slightly 

 before or behind vent. Caudal peduncle as long 

 as or longer than anal. Alore than 12 long slender 



gillrakers. A.I. I o — 1 8 (indo-australian species of) Athcrina p. 268. 



2. Vent in posterior half of distance between snout 

 and caudal. Origin of first dorsal before vent, 

 its hindborder above it. Caudal peduncle longer 

 than anal, about 10 very short and thick gill- 

 rakers. A. I. 8 — 10 Cratcroccphalits p. 277. 



II. Origin of anal only slightly behind first dorsal. 

 I. Vent in posterior half of distance between snout 

 and caudal. Origin of first dorsal before vent. 

 Caudal peduncle shorter than anal. 15 — 20 long 



gillrakers. A. I. 11 — -13 Telmatherina p. 278. 



III. Origin of anal at leastbeforehindborderof first dorsal. 



1. \'ent in posterior half of distance between snout 

 and caudal. Origin of first dorsal above or be- 

 hind vent. Caudal peduncle as long as or longer 



than anal. A. I. 9 — 12. Small, elongate PseiiJoinugil p. 282. 



2. Vent in anterior half of distance between snout 

 and caudal. Origin of first dorsal somewhat 

 before, generally behind vent, its hindborder 

 always behind it. Caudal peduncle shorter than 



anal. A. I. 17 — 30 Melanotaeniinae p. 286. 



