EED MULLETS. 403 



preceding by the presence of vomerine teeth. They belong 

 to the coast-fauna of Australia, New Zealand, and Chili. 



ToxoTES. — Body short, compressed, covered with scales of 

 moderate size. Snout pointed, with a wide lateral mouth and 

 projecting lower jaw. One dorsal, with five strong spines 

 situated on the posterior part of the back ; the soft portion and 

 the anal fin scaly, the latter with three spines. Villiform teeth 

 in the jaws, on the vomer and palatine bones. Scales of moder- 

 ate size, cycloid. 



Two species are known from the East Indies, one {T. 

 jaculator), which is the more common, ranging to the north 

 coast of Australia. It has received its name from its habit of 

 throwing a drop of water at an insect which it perceives close 



Mg. 172. — Toxotes jaculator. 



to the surface, in order to make it fall into it. The Malays, 

 who call it " Ikan sumpit," keep it in a bowl, in order to 

 witness this singular habit, which it continues even in 

 captivity. 



Third Family — Mullid^. 



Body rather loio and slightly compressed, covered with large 

 thin scales, ivithoiU or with an extremely fine serrature. Two 

 long erectile hariels are suspended from the hyoid, and are re- 

 ceived between the rami of the lower jaw and opercles. lateral 

 line continuous. Mouth in front of the snout, with the cleft 



