154 TELEOSTEI. PHYSOSTOMI. 





the total length. Eyes diameter 5^ to 7 in the length of head, 

 2 diameters from the end of snout, and 2 to 2.V apart ; interorbital 

 space nearly flat. The greatest width of the head equals its length 

 excluding the snout. Upper jaw the longer. Median longitudinal 

 groove on the head extending to the base of the occipital process 

 in the young, not so far in the adult. Occipital process very long 

 and narrow, the width of its base being hardly equal to one fifth 

 of its length ; but in old specimens the anterior portion of this bone 

 becomes concealed by skin, and appears to be very short, a very 

 slight interspace exists between it und the basal bone of the dorsal 

 fin. Extent of gape of the mouth equals three eighths of length of 

 head. Upper surface of the head, opercles, and shoulder-bone 

 roughened by the presence of tubercular ridges. Barrels the nasal 

 extend to below the middle of the orbit ; the maxillary to nearly 

 or quite the base of the anal ; the external mandibular to the base 

 of the pectoral, and the internal to opposite the posterior extremity 

 of the preopercle. Teeth in an uninterrupted semilunar band 

 across the palate. Fins dorsal spine slender, serrated posteriorly 

 in its upper half, half as long as the head ; base of adipose dorsal 

 varying in length, usually as long as, or longer than, that of the 

 rayed fin. Pectoral spine strong, compressed, rugose externally, 

 denticulated along its whole extent internally ; it is as long as the 

 head excluding the snout, and slightly longer than that of th" e dorsal. 

 Ventral half as long as the head, and not reaching the anal ; in 

 some specimens the upper caudal lobe is prolonged. Free portion 

 of the tail rather longer than high. Colour above greyish brown, 

 below dull white. Fins greyish, stained with black. Several 

 vertical black spots along the anterior portion of the lateral line. 



Blyth observed that this is " a very mucous fish, and those 

 brought to the ba/aar are commonly much clotted over with an 

 adhesive clayey mud, as if they had burrowed into it, and they are 

 mostly brought many together, appearing as if dug out from the 

 mud of ponds more or less dried up." 



Hob. Prom Orissa through Bengal and Assam ; attaining a foot 

 or more in length. 



162. (8.) Macrones microphthalnms. 



Macrones microphthalnuis, Dai/, Fish. India, p. 446, pi. c, fig. 4. 

 , Nga-ike, Burmese. 



B. x. D. 1/7 | 0. P. 1/9. V. 6. A. 12 (3/9). C. 17. 



Length of head 4, of caudal fin 5^, height of body 6f in the total 

 length (excluding the filamentous prolongation of the caudal fin). 

 Eyes diameter 6 in the length of head, 2 diameters from the end 

 of snout, and 2| apart. The greatest width of the head equals its 

 length excluding the snout. Upper jaw the longer, snout spatulate. 

 Median longitudinal groove on the head reaching nearly to the 

 base of the occipital process, which is pointed, scarcely longer than 

 wide at its base, and with a long interspace between it and the 



