PERCID.E. 485 



and top of the eyes black. Fins orange, upper half of first dorsal 

 deep black ; a dark upper edge to second dorsal ; caudal dark with 

 a light outer margin ; anal with a black mark over the bases of the 

 spines. In some specimens taken at Hurdah the caudal was black- 

 tipped. 



This fish shows considerable local variations, which have caused 

 its being described under more than one name. 



Hob. Throughout the fresh waters of India, Assam, and Burma ; 

 attaining 3 or 4 inches in length. 



629. (2.) Ambassis ranga. 



Chanda ranga, Ham, Such. Fish. Ganges, pp. 113, 371, pi. 16, fig. 38. 

 Ambassis ranga, Day, Fish. India, pp. 51, 746, pi. xiv, fig. 6 (see synon.). 



Changes, Beng. and N.W. Prov. ; Pee-dah, Sind. ; Laal-chandee, 

 Ooriah. 



D.7 | 1/13-15. P. 11. A. 3/1 4-16. C. 17. L.r. 60-70. L.tr.13/ . 



In the adult, length of head 3| to 4, height of body 2| to 2 in 

 the total length. Eyes diameter 2| in length of head, from end of 

 snout, and |- apart. Vertical border of preopercle sometimes entire, 

 more commonly finely serrated, but in some specimens rather 

 coarsely so; the double margin of horizontal border of pre- 

 opercle serrated; sub- and interopercles entire. Preorbital with 

 denticulations on its inferior edge, a strong tooth on its anterior 

 superior angle directed towards the eye, and about five more along 

 the upper edge of that bone. Another spine at the middle of the 

 posterior edge of the orbit, with five more, decreasing in size, 

 along its upper half. Teeth all small, none on the tongue. Fins 

 second dorsal spine generally as long as the third ; second anal 

 spine slightly shorter than the third. In Burma the second anal 

 spine is comparatively shorter than in Indian specimens. Colour 

 olive, with a dark mark composed of spots on the shoulder, 

 being the remains of a band present in the young. The margins 

 of the vertical fins are usually somewhat dark. In the young, 

 termed by Buchanan Jala, the fish is of a bright yellow or orange 

 colour, with four or five dark vertical bands which are formed of 

 fine black dots. 



This species appears to vary more with age than any other 

 species of Ambassis. 



Hob. Throughout India and Burma ; growing to a few inches in 

 length. 



630. (3.) Ambassis baculis. 



Chanda baculis, Ham. Buck. Fish. Ganges, pp. 112, 371. 

 Ambassis baculis, Day, Fish. India, p. 51, pi. xv, fig. 1 (see synon.). 

 Kuny-gi, Punj. ; Nga-koun-ma or Nya-zin-zat, Burm. 



D. 7 | 1/13. P. 12. A. 3/13. C. 17. L. r. 80. 

 Length of head 4, height of body 3 in the total length. Eyes 

 diameter 3 in length of head, g to if from end of snout and also 



