RED MULLETS. 



40c 



preceding by the presence of vomerine teeth. They belong- 

 to the coast-fauna of Australia, New Zealand, and Chili. 



ToxoTES. — Body short, compressed, covered with scales of 

 moderate size. Snout pointed, with a wide lateral mouth and 

 projecting lower jaw. One dorsal, with five strong spines 

 situated on the posterior part of the back ; the soft portion and 

 the anal fin scaly, the latter with three spines. Villiform teeth 

 in the jaws, on the vomer and palatine bones. Scales of moder- 

 ate size, cycloid. 



Two species are known from the East Indies, one {T. 

 jaculator), which is the more common, ranging to the north 

 coast of Australia. It has received its name from its habit of 

 throwing a drop of water at an insect wliicli it perceives close 



Fig. 172. — Toxotes jaculator. 



to the surface, in order to make it fall into it. The Malays, 

 who call it " Ikan sumpit," keep it in a bowl, in order to 

 witness this singular habit, which it continues even in 

 captivity. 



Third Family — Mullid^. 



Body rather loio and slightly compi-esscd, covered vnth large 

 thin scales, loithout or tvith an extremely fine serrature. Two 

 long erectile harhels are suspended from the hyoid, and are re- 

 ceived between the rami of the lotoer jatv and operclcs. Lateral 

 line continuous. Mouth in front of the snout, with the cleft 



