PEECID^!. 437 



in some cases very protractile. Teeth present or absent on the 

 vomer and palatines, in the jaws villiform, with or without canines. 

 Anterior portion of the dorsal fin spinous ; ventrals thoracic, with 

 one spine and four soft rays, or sometimes 1/4. Scales ctenoid or 

 cycloid. Lateral line, when present, continuous (except in some 

 species of Ambassis). Air-bladder usually present and more or 

 less simple. Pylozic appendages in varying numbers. 



Geographical Distribution. World-wide, in seas and freshwater. 

 The Indian Percida? are almost entirely marine fishes. It is by no 

 means uncommon to capture specimens of Lates long distances 

 above salt water, but it is unusual to find any of the genera Sen-anus, 

 Lutjanus, Therapon, Pristipoma, Lobotes, Datnioides, or Oerres many 

 miles beyond tidal influence. The remainder of the genera are 

 almost entirely marine, the most constant exception being species 

 belonging to the genus Ambassis, in which, however, some are 

 exclusively found in salt water ; the majority are spread through 

 the larger rivers and tanks of the plains. 



The colours and tints of fishes vary in different waters ; if, for 

 instance, the water is opaque or muddy, its finny inhabitants will 

 be found to be dark, whilst, on the other hand, in clear water they 

 are brighter and generally lighter. Age and season likewise exer- 

 cise an influence in this respect. In stuffed examples, or in those 

 which have been long in spirit, marks become more or less oblite- 

 rated. Irrespective of the foregoing, the period intervening 

 between capture and examination has a considerable bearing upon 

 fugitive colours, as well as whether the fishes have been sodden in 

 water or kept dry by their captors ; for instance, if a dark-coloured 

 fish is placed in a dry situation, and any moist substance laid over 

 it and kept wet, the portions of the body which have not been 

 allowed to dry will be found to be of a lighter tint than those not 

 so treated, and this appearance, which can be so easily produced, is 

 indelible. 



Synopsis of Indian Genera. 

 First group. PEBCINA. 



B. vii. Body oblong. Opercles strongly denticulated or armed. Cleft 

 of mouth rather oblique. Two dorsal fius ; three anal spines. Scales of 

 moderate size, usually ctenoid. Pyloric appendages few. No canines. 

 Preorbital and preopercle serrated, the latter den- 

 ticulated at its angle 1. LATES. 



Second group. SEBBANINA. 



B. vii. Body oblong, sometimes elevated. Opercles serrated or armed. 

 Cleft of mouth rather oblique. One or, more rarely, two dorsal fina. 

 Villiform teeth on jaws, vomer, and palate. 

 Opercle armed. No canines. A single elevated 



dorsal fin ; three anal spines 2. CEOMILEPTKS. 



Opercle armed. Canines present. One dorsal 



tin ; three anal spines. Caudal rounded, square 



