Synopsis of the species. 



A. Scales on opercles much larger than those of the 

 body, 8 10 transversal rows of scales on prae- 

 operculum. Twenty eight to 33 pairs of spines 

 along the abdomen. Maxillary reaching to hind- 

 border of pupil or of eye N. notopterus p. 9. 



B. Scales on opercles not larger than those of the 

 body. Twelve to 22 transversal rows of scales on 

 praeoperculum. Thirty seven to 45 pairs of spines 

 along the abdomen. 



1. Maxillary reaching far behind eye, 20 22 trans- 

 versal rows of scales on praeoperculum .... N. chitala p. 10. 



2. Maxillary reaching to hindborder of eye or a 

 little beyond. Twelve to 16 transversal rows 



of scales on praeoperculum N. bortieensis p. II. 



i. Notopterus notopterus (Pall.). 



Gymnotus notopterus Pallas. Spicil. Zool. VII. p. 40. 

 Notopterus kapirat Lacepede. Hist. Nat. Poissons. II. 1800, p. 190. 

 Notop tents kapirat Giinther. Cat. Brit. Mus. VII. 1 868, p. 480. 

 Notopterus kapirat Bleeker. Atl. Ichth. VI. 1866^72, p. 146. 

 Notopterus kapirat Day. Fishes of India. 4. 18781888, p. 653. 



B. 8; D. 89; A. loo no; P. 1517; V. 5; L.tr. 65. (in 

 a vertical line through origin of anal). 



Oblong, compressed. Dorsal profile behind vertex convex, 

 from vertex to snout sloping down in a nearly straight line. 

 Height 3 3 / 4 3 4 / 5 , head (without opercular flap) 5 5 2 / 3 . Eye 

 4 1 /* 5, equal to snout or slightly longer. Maxillary reaching to 

 hindborder of pupil or of eye; according to age, 2 T / 4 2 ! / 2 in 

 length of head. The two ventral ridges of the mandible and 

 of the praeoperculum are serrated, as well as the lower border 

 of the suborbital bones. Origin of dorsal about midway be- 

 tween snout and end of caudal. Dorsal as high as postorbital 

 part of head. Pectorals as long as head without snout. Scales 

 on opercles much larger than those on body; 8 10 trans- 

 versal rows on praeoperculum. A double series of 28 33 

 spines along the abdomen. Eight gillrakers, 3 / 4 f eve > Vs 

 shorter than branchial filaments. A series of 8 blunt protube- 

 rances at the innerside of the first branchial arch. More or 

 less grayish silvery, back darker. Anal and caudal often mar- 

 gined with blackish. Length 350 mm. 



