56 ACANTHOPTERTGII. 



Genus, 11 — Apogon, Lacep. 



Amia, Gronovius : ApocjonicMhys, Bleeker : Moruyprion, Poey : Mionorus, Kreflft : Archamia, Lffpidamia, 

 and Qlossamia, Gill. 



Branchiostegals seven : pseudobrancJiice present, usually well developed. Opercle not spinate. Preopercle with 

 a double edge, either or hoth of which may he serrated, crenulated, or entire. Teeth villiform in the jaws, vomer, a/nd 

 palatines, without canines: tongue smooth. Two separate dorsal fins, the first with six or seven spines :' the anal with 

 two. Lateral-line distinct and entire. Scales ctenoid, as a rule large and deciduous, hut occasionally they are rather 

 small. Ccecal appendages when present few. 



Geographical distribution. — From the Red Sea and East coast of Africa, tlirongli tlie seas of India and 

 Malay Archipelago to Australia, and even beyond. These small fishes are marine, and are numerous in sheltered 

 spots as inside harhours, and some have been captured at the mouth or even a short distance up tidal rivers and 

 backwaters. In the Indian region they are most numerous ofi" the Sind and Bombay coasts, and Andaman 

 islands. 



Uses. — Although small, they are eaten fresh, dried, or salted, by the natives of India. 



The fishes of this Genus, after having been primarily divided in accordance with the number of spines in 

 the first dorsal fin, have undergone various subdivisions, the most popular of which seems to be as regards their 

 colours. The longitudinally or transversely banded ones, those which possess or are deficient in the caudal 

 blotch, have been separated on several plans, and although such may possess advantages they appear to be 

 counterbalanced by marks sometimes disappearing or perhaps never having existed in the specimen. Conse- 

 quently colour wiU still be omitted from indicating the position of any species, and the number of spines, rays, 

 and scales employed for this purpose. It seems also questiona.ble whether any considerable value can be placed 

 upon the serrations about the bones of the head, especially of the orbits, as such appear to be more distinct in some 

 specimens than in others, and may vary with age. 



SYNOPSIS OF SPECIES. 



1. Apogon muUitceniatus, D. 7/i, A. f, L. 1. 38. Outer edge only of preopercle serrated. PinMsh, with 

 violet lines, along the body : fins scarlet, the vertical ones having black borders. Eed Sea, coasts of India. 



2. Apogon halosoma, D. 7/^, A. f, L. 1. 35-36. Outer edge only of preopercle serrated. Reddish, with a 

 dark band from the snout to the end of the centre of the caudal fin : another above it : a black spot at the base 

 of the tail : a dark mark on fij-st dorsal fin, a band along the base of the second dorsal. Seas of India to the 

 Malay Archipelago. 



3. Apogon nigricans, D. 7/i, A. ■^%, L. 1. 25-26. Outer edge of preopercle and shoulder serrated. 

 Greyish, with dark vertical bands and spots on the head. Madras. 



4. Apogon frenatus, D. 7/i A. f, L. 1. 27-28. Both edges of preopercle serrated, also the lower edge of 

 the orbit. Three or four longitudinal bands along the body : a black spot sometimes present at the base of the 

 caudal fin : a basal band along both soft dorsal and anal. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago and beyond. 



_ 5. Apogon tceniatus, D. 7/i, A. f, L. 1. 27. Outer edge of preopercle and shoulder bone serrated. 

 Reddish brown : two vertical dark bands and a dark mark at the base of caudal fin. Red Sea to Madras 



6. Apogon endeJcatcenia, D. 7/i, A. f , L. 1. 26. Outer edge of preopercle, lower edge of orbit and 

 shoulder serrated. A dark median and four or five lateral bands, a dark spot at the base of the caudal fin. Seas 

 of India to the Malay Archipelago. 



7. Apogon qucuMfasaiaius, D. 7/i, A. f, L. 1. 26. Outer edge of preopercle and lower edge of orbit 

 serrated. No median band : two along either side of the body. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelao'o 



8 Apogon fasciatus,!). 7/i A. |, L. 1. 25. Outer edge of preopercle and shoulder serrated. Fom lonei- 

 tttdinal bands along the body, one along soft dorsal and anal fins. Seas of India to the Malay ArcHpelago Mid 



9 Apogon Samwyensis, D. 7/i A | L. 1. 26. Outer edge of preopercle serrated. Olive, with 4 or 5 narrow 

 vertical bands on the anterior half of the body : a dark band over the upper half of the free portion of the tail • 

 a streak from the eye to the angle of the preopercle : numerous brown spots on the head. Coasts of Africa 

 India, and beyond. ' 



. 10- .^iP°3^ mgripmms, D 7/i A. f , L. L 26. Outer edge of preopercle and shoulder bone serrated. 

 Gr^sh with vertical bands over the body and free portion of the tail. Neither spots nor streaks on the head 

 Vertical fins black, except the caudal which is yellow, with a dark edge Seas of India 



w ^rM\ /W"?;.J^7^^' D- 7/i, A. I L. 1.25-26. Outer edge of preopercle sen-ated. Golden, with a 

 black head, four white longitudinal bands : fins orange. Andamans to the Malay Archipelago 



w V ^^'a ^^"T "T^'' '°;-^^*' A;?' b}- ^^■!?- n ^^^^"^ ^^^^ °^ preopercle serrated!^ Pinldsh, with a broad 

 bla^k band over the free portion of the tail : vertical fins reddish, with a narrow black border. Red Sea sea^ 

 of India to the Malay Archipelago. ' ^ 



than in B. nama (B.H.) Bleeker ; and of a dusky or inftiscated hue havintr silvorv <riil n«TTo™ _ j ■ i_ ., 



side : fins paler than the body, with a blackish tinge on the aiiterior Lf rf the firstlr^l ^''"^^ '''^""^ '^'^^ °" '""='' 



, , D- 10—1-10 ?— A. 3-8 ? 



One specimen only from the Mutla. Presented by Major W. S. Sherwill." 



