10 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF COCHIN. (Jan. 10, 
MEsopRION SILLAOO, Cuy. & Val. 
B yi.) D. 2! P16. Vee PAS: CO! 17: TsO ates 
as 
inches. 
Length of specimens from 11%; to 194%; inches. 
GE HEAR taci sratr 5;8;, or two-sevenths of total length. 
of pectoral ...... 4,,, or one-fourth of total length. 
af wandal <5. 004 3%), or one-sixth of total length. 
— of base of dorsal.. 75%;, or two-fifths of total length. 
of base of anal.... 2;%;, or one-ninth of total length. 
Height of head ........ 4;?;, or one-fourth of total length. 
of body .. .. 5455, or two-sevenths of total length. 
of hard dorsal.... 2, or two-nineteenths of total length. 
of soft dorsal .... 435;, or one-fourth of total length. 
——— of base of caudal.. 2, or two-nineteenths of total length. 
Of ventral? 4.00280 3, or two-thirteenths of total length. 
of anal..........- 2,45, or one-ninth of total length. 
2 
Diameter of eye 1,2; x 1 inch, or } x 1 of length of head, 2.1, from 
end of snout, 1 inch apart. 
Profile gradually rises to the dorsal; but a slight concavity exists 
over the nostrils. Lower jaw a little the longest. The superior 
maxillary bone extends as far backwards as opposite the anterior 
third of the orbit. Preeoperculum, posterior limb nearly vertical 
in its upper half, which is entire, then emarginate to receive a knob 
of the interoperculum, and at this spot it is very finely serrated ; 
angle rounded, with about six very blunt denticulations ; lower limb 
horizontal and very short. Sub- and inter-opercula entire; a pro- 
tuberance on the upper angle of the latter. Operculum with two 
blunted points; no spines. No scales between or before the orbits. 
Arched double row of scales over the nape very conspicuous. Supra- 
scapular scale veined, but entire. Scapular and coracoid bones entire. 
Teeth. Canines large, ;3;ths of an inch exposed ; an external row 
of conical teeth in both jaws ; two or three rows of villiform in inter- 
maxillaries and upper jaw. A very few villiform teeth in lower jaw, 
and only in its anterior portion. Numerous and fine villiform teeth 
on vomer and palate. 
Fins. Origin of dorsal and ventral in a line; pectoral slightly in 
advance ; anal arises opposite first or second soft ray of dorsal ; pec- 
toral, pointed, does not reach so far as anal by ;5,ths of an inch; 
ventral pointed. 
Dorsal spines not very strong, base of spinous portion 4,4, of total 
length; interspinous membrane rather deeply notched: first spine 
zy inch ; second 1,8; third 2; fourth 2; fifth 1,8,; thence they 
decrease to the ninth, which is 1,4;; tenth 1,%;. Ventral spine 
weak, 1-3, inch. Anal spines rather strong; first ;°; inch; second 
1,;, and slightly the strongest ; third 1,,. 
Scales passing in longitudinal rows, both above and below the 
lateral line. Opposite the termination of the soft dorsal, they become 
slightly undulating in their course, 
