BY THE REV. J. E. TENISON-WOODS. 171 



Following these in importance are the Pleuronectidse or flat- 

 fishes, including the Soles and Plaice. They are pretty numerous, 

 but do not seem in that region to include any highly esteemed 

 food-fishes. Almost equal in importance are the Acronuridee, 

 inhabitants of tropical seas, and most abundant on coral reefs. 

 This family includes the "Surgeons," so-called from the sharp lancet- 

 shaped spine "with which the tail is armed, which they use as a 

 very dangerous weapon. They are brightly coloured and esteemed 

 as food. The Scisenidse faraily, which in Europe includes the 

 '* Meagre " and many others of large size, almost all of which are 

 eaten, contributes a large contingent to the fauna of the region. 

 Also the Sygnathidte or pipe-fishes which are no use as food at all. 

 The Teuthididge, which include 30 species, all from the Indo- 

 Pacific region, amongst which is the Australian black and white 

 " Trevally," are well-known fish in the east, with venomous spines. 

 All the species are supposed by the Malays of the Straits to be 

 highly poisonous ; they are not eaten but are set aside amongst 

 offal of fish to be used as manure. 



The above list includes all the families characteristic of the 

 region, but generic distinctions give no idea of the relative pro- 

 portions of the number of individuals. Those fishes which 

 frequent the seas in large shoals such as the Herring, Mackerel, 

 and Anchovy, are far more commonly seen in the markets, and 

 are abundantly consumed amongst the people. There are tunnies 

 of large size, which seem favourite articles of food, called Tangiri 

 pappan by the Malays (Cyhium guttatum, Bloch & Schn.). It 

 attains considerable length, and, together with C lineolatum, 

 Cuv., and C. commersonii, Lacep., is cut up and sold piecemeal 

 amongst the poorer inhabitants. I do not remember ever seeing 

 a fish market in which tunnies and other members of the 

 mackerel family were not the principal fishes offered for sale. 

 They do not keep well in the climate, but if they are slightly 

 turned this is a recommendation to both Malays and Chinese. 

 The fish mostly consumed by Europeans is the Pomfret, of which 

 there are three species, namely : — S'tromateus niger, S. sinensis, 



