486 TELEOSTEI. ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



apart. Lower jaw rather shorter than the upper. Preorbital 

 strongly serrated along its lower edge, and having a sharp spine 

 directed towards the orbit at its anterior-superior angle, followed 

 by several more along its upper edge. The whole upper edge of the 

 orbit generally serrated, but in some examples merely its posterior 

 half. Vertical margin of preopercle entire, the whole lower edge 

 of the horizontal limb strongly serrated, and a few serrations near 

 the angle on the upper edge ; sub- and interopercles entire. Pins 

 second spine of dorsal highest. Third anal spine slightly the 

 longest; caudal forked, lower lobe slightly the longer. Lateral 

 line complete. Colour yellowish olive ; a golden spot on the 

 occiput ; black along the top of the first dorsal fin ; second dorsal 

 and anal darkest externally ; front of each anal ray blackish ; 

 caudal dark along its base and also with blackish tips to each lobe. 



Ambassis baculis principally differs from A. nama in its form 

 being higher, the lower jaw shorter and not crooked to one side, 

 in the vertical margin of the preopercle being strongly serrated, and 

 in possessing no canine or enlarged teeth in the jaws. 



Hub. Fresh waters of Orissa, Bengal, and as far north as the 

 Punjab ; also in Burma. 



631. (4.) Ambassis thomassi. 



Ambassis thomassi, Day, P. Z. 8. 1870, p. 369 ; Fish. India, p. 52, 

 pi. xv, fif?. 2 (see synon.) 



Mullu-cherii, Mai. ; MuUu-tharu, Tel. ; MuUu-jubbu, Cauarese. 

 D. 7 | 1/10-12. P. 15. A. 3/9-10. C. 15. L. 1. 35-41. L. tr. 7/17. 



Length of head 3g to 41, height of body 3 to 4 in the total length. 

 Eyes diameter from 3 to 3| in length of head, from end of 

 snout, and | apart. Lower jaw the longer ; a slight concavity 

 over the orbits. Vertical margin of preopercle finely serrated, its 

 lower double edge more coarsely so, especially at the angle ; poste- 

 rior half of lower edge of interopercle strongly serrated. Lower 

 edge of preorbital denticulated ; a raised usually serrated edge 

 along its upper third. One spine at the posterior-superior angle 

 of the orbit (becoming bifurcated with age), and the lower two 

 thirds of its margin serrated (the serrations becoming blunted with 

 age). Teeth an outer rather enlarged row in both jaws, none on 

 tongue. Pins second dorsal spine longest; second anal spine 

 equals the third. Lateral line continuous. Colour greyish, 

 spotted with silvery ; brownish basal spots on many of the scales, 

 more especially along the back. 



Hob. The coasts of Canara as low as Cochin ; found some dis- 

 tance inland, even in elevated localities ; attaining to at least 6 

 inches in length. 



632. (5.) Ambassis nalua. 



Chanda nalua, Ham. Buch. Fish. Gaiu/cs, pp. 107, 371, pi. 6, fig. 36. 

 Ambassis nalua, Day, Fish. India, p. 53, pi. xv, fig. 4 (see synon.). 

 Kyoung-ma-sah, Burni. 



