490 TELEOSTEI. ACANTHOPTERYUII. 



central band at the root of the tongue. Fins second spine of the 

 dorsal longest ; third anal spine usually slightly the longest, but 

 not equalling the longest of the dorsal. Scales a single row along 

 the suborbital ring of bones. Lateral line curves downwards 

 under the middle of the soft dorsal, but in an interrupted or semi- 

 interrupted manner. Colour silvery, with a burnished lateral 

 band ; the interspinous membrane between second and third dorsal 

 spines black ; a dark longitudinal band along either lobe of caudal. 

 Hah. Seychelles, Andamans, and the Malay Archipehigo. This 

 species nearly resembles A. gymnocephalus, but the lateral line is 

 entire ; there is only one row of scales along the suborbitals and 

 the comparative height of its body differs. It appears to be com- 

 mon at the Andaman s. 



639. (12.) Ambassis thermalis. 



Ambassis thermalis, Cuv. $ Val. II. N. Poiss. iii, p. 493 ; Day, Fish. 

 India, p. 746. 



D. 7 | 1/9. A. 3/9. 



Height of body not quite one third of the total length, excluding 

 the caudal fin. Scales large. Colour greenish, with a silvery 

 lateral band. A blackish longitudinal streak along each caudal lobe. 



Hal. AVarm springs of Cauuia in Ceylon. 



11. Genus APOGON, Lacep. 



Syn. Amia, Gronovius; Ajmgonichthyn, Bleeker; MoHOgrion, Poey; 

 Mionorus, Krefft ; Archamia, Lcjridamia, and Glossamia, Gill ; Pristinjiu- 

 yon, Klunz. 



Branchiostegals seven; pseudobranchiae present, usually well 

 developed. Opercle not spiny. Preopercle with a double edge, 

 either or both of which may be serrated, crenulated, or entire. 

 Teeth villiform in the jaws, vomer, and palatines, without canines ; 

 tongue smooth. Two separate dorsal fins, the first with six or 

 seven spines ; the anal with two. Lateral line distinct and entire. 

 Scales ctenoid, as a rule large and deciduous, but occasionally rather 

 small. Caecal appendages when present few. 



Geographical Distribution. From the Red Sea and east coast of 

 Africa, through the seas of India and Malay Archipelago to Aus- 

 tralia, and even beyond. These small fishes are marine, and are 

 numerous in sheltered spots, as inside harbours ; some have been 

 captured at the months of, or even a short distance up, tidal rivers 

 and backwaters. They are most numerous off the Sind and 

 Bombay coasts and the Andaman Islands, still they are by no 

 means uncommon at Madras. 



Uses. Although small, they are eaten fresh, dried, or salted by 

 the natives of India. 



