312 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF COCHIN. _[Mar. 14, 
Length of specimens from 4,4, to 45%; inches. 
Not uncommon in the cold season. 
ENGRAULIS AURATUS, Day, sp. nov. 
B.x. D.G P.12. V.7. A.34.. C19. 1.1.40. 1. tr,.9. 
Length of specimen 4,5, inches. 
Length of head nearly 4, of pectoral +, of base of dorsal }, of base 
of anal }, of caudal + of the total length. Height of head 4, of 
body 3, of dorsal fin +, of anal } of the total length. Diameter of 
eye, longest transverse, 2 of the length of head, eyes 3 a diameter 
from end of snout, 1 diameter apart. Its anterior and posterior 
third covered by an adipose lid. 
Profile scarcely ascends from snout to dorsal fin, or descends much 
thence to the caudal, the abdominal surface being very much more 
convex ; sides flat. 
Head. Snout short; gape of mouth extending to below the pos- 
terior margin of the orbit; superior maxillaries very elongated, 
reaching as far as last quarter of pectoral, and equal to nearly one- 
third of the total length of the fish. A raised crest exists from snout 
along the whole central line of the head. Operculum narrow, octa- 
gonal; posterior margin having its central two-fifths straight, di- 
rected a little obliquely backwards, and forming an obtuse angle at 
its upper and lower fifths ; superior and inferior margin straight, but 
very short. Preeoperculum, posterior margin nearly vertical. Bran- 
chiostegous opening very wide, extending almost to the lower margin 
of the symphysis. 
Teeth. A series of fine villiform teeth in the lower jaw, also along 
the whole extent of the élongated superior maxilla; only a few in the 
external half of each intcrmaxillary. A few in the vomer. A long 
double line of fine teeth in the palatine bones, with a large oval 
toothed space posteriorly. - 
Fins. Dorsal commences midway between snout and base of caudal 
fin ; anal midway between anterior surface of chest and commence- 
ment of caudal. Pectoral arises below the posterior margin of oper- 
culum, and reaches to the ventral. Dorsal triangular, with a sinall 
spine a short distance before its first ray. Pectoral falciform. Anal, 
anterior portion highest. Caudal lobed, lobes of equal length. 
About thirteen sharp compressed scales on the keel of the lower 
margin of the body, anterior to the commencement of the ventral 
fins, and seven between their termination and the origin of the anal. 
Colours. The upper surface of the back closely dotted with black, 
and of a brilliant shining coppery tinge, passing downwards and be- 
coming pure white on the sides. A large black spot on the shoulder. 
Dorsal with minute black dots, more especially at its upper margin ; 
otherwise colourless, as are also the pectoral, ventral, and anal fins. 
Caudal light straw-coloured, with a darkish tip. yes tinged with 
brown superiorly, below yellowish. 
Common, and considered good eating; arrives during the south- 
west monsoon. 
