ccxlviii 



FRESH-WATER PISHES OF INDIA. 



430. The fresh-water fishes are divisible into those which are 



strictly so, and marine ones which ascend 



^_ The freaU-watcr Bsbes of lu- ^^^^_^ ^jj.^, i^n^ieuce for breediuff or preda- 



ceous purposes. The following list enu- 

 merates those at present known and described, with their geog-raphical 

 range, their native names (the pronunciation of the latter in accordance 

 with the English language), and the size they attain to : — 



Sub-class— TE'LEOSTm. 



Fishes having an osseous skeleton, completely separated 

 vertehra), and the i>ostei'ior extretnity of the vcrtehral 

 column either hony oi" armed with hony plates. Bulh 

 of aorta simple, with a pair of valves at its origin. 

 Branchiae free. 



Order— A CA NTHOPTER YGII. 



A portion of the dorsal, aual, and ventral fin-rayg unarticulated, forming 

 spines. Air-vessel, when present, completely closed, not having a 

 pneumatic duct. 



Family — Percids, Cuv. 



Percoidel, pt., Cuvier : Percida, pt., and Theraponida, pt., Ricliardson. 



Biancliiostegala from fivo to seven : psoujubranchioe, as a rule, present. Form of body 

 generally oblong. Eyes lateral. All or some of the opercles (except in Apsilus) 

 eerratcJ or armed. Mouth in front of snout, having a lateral cleft, occasionally 

 situated on the lower side. A barbel on the lower jaw in Pogonoperca. Teeth 

 villiform or conical in the jaws, caxiines occasiunally present, the vomer and 

 generally the palatines armed with teeth. Anterior portion of dorsal fin spinous : 

 ventrals thoracic, each having one spine and iive rays. Scales ctenoid. Lateral 

 line, when present, continuous, except in some species of Ambassis. Air-vessel 

 usually present, and, when so, simple. Pyloric appendages in varying uuuibers. 



Genus — Lates, Cuv. $)• Val. 



Branchioslegals seven : ineudohranchue. Pre-orhilul and shoulder 

 bone serrated: pre-opercle with strong spines at its angle, and denticulated 

 along its horizontal limb : opercle spinate. Teeth villiform on jaws, vomer 

 and 'palatine bones : tongue smooth. First dorsal Jin with seven or eight, 

 anal with three spines : caudal rounded. Scales of moderate size. Cacal 

 pylori few. 



1. Lates calcarifer, Bloch. This marine, predaceous fish ascends 

 all the large rivers of India and Burma. Dangara, Siudee : Nuddee meeii 

 or Nair ween, Malyulim : I'ainnee mecn, Tamil : Panda Icupah or Pandu 

 meenu, Telugn : Durruah, Ooriah : Begti, Bengal : Cock-up of Euro- 

 peans. D. 7-8/Ty!.-r5, A. ^%, L. 1. 5^-(iU, L. tr. 7/12, Ciec. pyl. 3. Of a 

 grey colour. It attains several feet in length. 



