726 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL MIST. SOCLETY, Vol. XXIV. 



CARANGID^. 



Day divides this family into 13 genera, of which the genus Caranx must 

 be o-ranted precedence. The genus Caranx is again sub-divided by Day 

 into 26 individual species. There are several of these species that most 

 emphatically come under the category of " game fishes," but the king of 

 this finny tribe as far as Jask is concerned at any rate, is unquestionably the 



PiKAO. Caranx jarra. 



The accompanying photograph gives a good conception of the shape and 

 contour and massive proportions of this portly, though none the less active 

 oentleman. Note the cavernous mouth which would accommodate one's two 

 iists with ease. Mark the depth of head and masses of muscles which 

 furnish the jaws with such enormous crushing power. Study the ample 

 cirth. The largest specimen that has been taken at Jask on rod and line 

 weighed 68 lbs. and the measurements of this Goliath are of more than 

 passing interest : — 



Length to tip of tail . . . . . . 4 ft. 1^ inches. 



Girth . . . . . . . . . . 36 inches. 



Time estimated at . . . . . . If hours. 



A girth of 36 inches for one of God's creatures whose weight is only 

 2 lbs. under 5 stone. Just think of it! Look at the broad sweep of the 

 tail ; does not the build denote driving force of immense proportions P 

 Ponder over these and other attributes, and then pass judgment whether 

 the Pirao is not a fighter worthy of the best traditions of the race of game 

 fish. Ay, game he is to the last ounce of vitality, for when he comes to 

 gaff and is slipped over the gunwhale to his last resting place at the bottom 

 of the dinghy not a move denotes that he is passing from the land of the 

 living. He pays his debt to nature like a warrior. 



Pirao. Caranx jarra. .'j-ti- lbs. 



Description. Teeth. — Both upper and lower jaws are furnished with a row 

 of sharp conical teeth supplemented by villiform teeth. There is an elonga- 

 ted crushing pad on each palatine containing small villiform teeth, with a 

 small patch of villiform teeth on the vomer. The tongue, which is very 

 pronounced, is apparently devoid of villiform teeth. There are sharp 



