ccxlix 



Genus — Ambassis, Commerson. 



CliniifJn, Tlniniltoii Buclinnan ; Bognila, pfc., Blocker. 



Br/atc/iioslcgals six. Body compressed, more or less dinplianons. 

 Lower limb of pre-opercle with a duuble denticulated edge: opercle without 

 a prominent spine. Villiform^ teeth on the jaics and palate, generally no 

 canines. Tivo dorsal fins, the first with seven, the anal with three spines: 

 a recnmhent spine directed forioards in front of the base of the dorsal fin. 

 Scales of moderate or small size, frequentli/ deciduous. Lateral line 

 complete, interrupted or absent. 



S. Ambassis nalna, Hiim. Bueh., B. vi. D. 1 jio-n, A. (jiio, Ij- 1- 30. 

 Lateral line continuous. Lower Bengal to a few inches in length. 



3. Ambassis ranga, Ham. Buch. Chandee, Ooriah and Bcng. B. vi. 



D. 7/i2inj A. i3ii5, L. 1. 58. Fouad in Bengal and Madras to a few 

 inches in length. 



4: Ambassis baculis, Ilam. Buch. Kung-gi, Panj.j Nga-konn-ma or 



1 3 



Nga-zin-zat, Burm. B. vi. D. 7/wTs, A. 15117. Scales minute. Found 

 throughout India and Burma, very simil.ar to the last. 



5. Ambassis Thomassi, Day. Mullu-cheru, Mai. B. vi. D. 7/iT, A. 15, 

 L. 1. 38, L. tr. G/13. Western Coast of Lidia. 



G. Ambassis nama, Ilam. Buch. Mucknee and Ched-du-ah, Panjab; 

 Pud-du and Put-lo-lah, Sindee : Ak-hu-rati, Tclugu : liuck-ra aud Vom- 



jii-ah, Norlh-Wcst Provinces; Cart-kana, Oov'wih. B. vi. D. 7/]4, A. i^. 

 Lateral line absent. A small fresh-water fish found throughotit India. 

 7. Ambassis lala, Ham. Buch. Pee-dah, Sind; Chandee, North- 



• • 13 



West Provinces ; Laal chandee, Ooriah. B. vi. D. 7/n, A. \\. Scales 

 minute : lateral line absent. Orange witli four or five vertical bands, 

 first dorsal nearly black. Found throughout the continent of India 

 except Madras. Only attains a few inches in length. 



Family — PnisTiPOMAXiDiE. 



Percoidei, pt., Scieenoidei , pt., Sparoidei, pt., et Manides, pt., Cuv. : 

 Theraponida, pt., Hmnnlonida'., pt., Spiaridte, pt., et M(cnides, pt., 

 Richardson. 



Brancliiostegals fiom five to seven. FseudoluancliifP, usually well ilevolo|)e(l. BoLly 

 oblong, compressed. B3'es of medium size, lateral. Jtoiith inoderaiely or very 

 protractile, placed in I'rout of the snout, and with a lateral cleft. Muciferous 

 system of tlie liead rudimentnry or slightly developed. I're-opcrcio serrated or 

 entire, barbels absent. Tcclli in villiform bands, with conical canines in some 

 ecnera, but neither molars nor cutting ones in the jaws ; palate usually edentu- 

 lous. A single dorsal fin, the spinous and soft portion being of about equ.al 

 extent, the first containing strong spines, or continuous with the soft: anal 

 mostly with three spines, its soft portion similar to that of tbo dorsal : lower 

 pector.al rays branched : ventrals thoracic with one spine and five rays. Scales 

 finely ctenoid or cycloid, exteiuling over the body and head; cheeks not cuirassed. 

 Lateral line continuous. Air-vessel present, more or less simple. Stomach c.Tcal. 

 Pyloric appendages few, or in moderate numbers. 



Genus — Theravon, Cuv. 



Datnia, Cnv. and Val. : Pelates, Cuv. 



Branehiostegals six. Eyes of moderate sice. Opercle with spines : pre- 

 opercle serrated. Teeth villi/orm in both jaws, the outer being sometimes 



