TRICHOPODUS. FISHES. 485 



preoperculi and suborbitars dentated on their margin ; one 

 of the rays of the ventrals forming an articulated bristle as 

 long as the body ; one spine at each anal fin. 



O. olfax, Commers. Body much compressed and deep, covered with 

 large scales ; belly and posterior part carinated ; brown, with 

 reddish tints on Jthe fins and back j tail rounded. 6 feet long. 

 Inhabits rivers in Java, &c. Lacep. iii. pi. 8, fig. 2. 

 This fish, the flesh of which is much esteemed, has been transported to the rivers 

 of the Isle of France from Java, and now forms at the latter place an important ar- 

 ticle of food. 



Gen. 146. TRICHOPODUS, Lacep. Trichogaster^ Schn. 

 Head and bases of the vertical fins scaly; teeth short and crowd- 

 ed ; preoperculi and suborbitars dentated on their margin ; 

 one of the rays of the ventrals extended into a filament ; no 

 spines at the anal fin. 



T. trichopterus, Lacep. Head small ; mouth narrow ; lips exten- 

 sible ; body variegated with brown, and two large round black 

 spots ; dorsal fin small and anal very long. 6 inches long. In- 

 habits Indian seas. Block, pi. 295, fig. 2. 



T. satyrus, (Trichopus satyrus, Shaw.) Body deep, much com- 

 pressed ; dorsal and anal fins nearly equal ; ventral fins consist- 

 ing of a single filament ; chin much produced. Inhabits Indian 

 seas. Shaw, iv. pi. 55. 



Gen. 147. TOXOTES, Cuv. Labrus, Shaw. 

 Body compressed, with large scales ; snout obtuse, flattened ho- 

 rizontally ; teeth like a fine file ; inferior margin of the pre- 

 operculi and suborbitars finely dentated ; dorsal fin short, 

 commencing opposite the beginning of the anal fin. 



T.jaculator, Cuv. Body yellowish, with five brown spots on the 

 back ; lower jaw longer than the upper ; first spines of the dor- 

 sal, anal, and ventral fins very strong. 6 to 8 inches long. In- 

 habits Indian seas. Sharv, iv. pi. 68. 



This species has the singular faculty of darting drops of water at insects within 

 its reach. 



Gen. 148. KURTUS, Bloch. 



Head and body much compressed ; back elevated ; dorsal fin 

 much shorter than the anal fin, and placed more forwards ; 

 teeth crowded. 



K. Indicus, Bloch. Body broad, short, and covered with small sil- 

 very plates ; back and belly carinated ; back tinged with gold 

 colour, and three or four black spots on its ridge. 10 inches 

 long. Inhabits Indian seas Shaw 3 iv. pi. 25. 



Gen. 149. AN ABAS, Cuv. Anthias, Bloch. 

 Snout blunt and short; head and body covered with large scales; 

 both jaws with rasp-like teeth, but strong and conical on 



