FAMILY, IV— NANDID^; 127 



Family, IV— NANDID^, G'untJier. 



Pseiidochronddes, pt., et Momoidd, pt. Mull. & Troseh. 



Branchiostegals from five to six : pseudobranchiss present in marine genera, but sometimes concealed 

 or absent in those of the fresh-water. Body oblong and compressed. Teeth feeble, but dentition more or 

 less complete. Dorsal fin single : the length of the base of the spinous portion of greater or equal extent to 

 tiiat of the soft: anal with three spines, its rays similar to those of the dorsal: ventrals thoracic, with 

 one spine and four or five rays. Scales ctenoid, covering the body. Lateral line interrupted or absent. No 

 super-branchial organ. Air-vessel present. Pyloric appendages few or absent. 



Dr. Giinther's family NanMdcB is composed of three groups, Ms Na/ndvna being similar to Ncmdoides, 

 Bleaker, contaiaiag the Genera Nand/us, C.V., Badis, Bleaker, and Pristolepis, Jardon=Caiqpra, Bleeker, which. 

 Bleaker observes belong to the great Family Feroidm.* Thus restricted, this sm.aIL group would find a natural 

 place between the Cenircurohmi (Qrystma, pt.) and the Osphromenoides (LalyrmtMbranchii) and the Fohjoemtr aides. 

 It also approaches the Pseudochromidoides and the Oichlmdes. The dentition inside its mouth distinguishes it 

 from the groups enumerated. 



Geographical distribution. — Of the Asiatic Genera of Family JSfcmdidoe, Giinther, some are marine, others 

 fresh-water fishes, extending their range from the Had Sea and East coast of Africa, through those of India, the 

 Malay Archipelago and beyond. 



The colours in some are liable to considerable variations, due to age, probably season, and the locality 

 ±hey inhabit. The number of spines, rays, and even scales, as in the indigenous fresh- water Acanthopterygian 

 genera, Amhassis, Anabas, PolyacantJms and Trichogaster are by no means fixed, a few more or less being of no 

 infrequent occurrence. The same remark appHes to the serrations of the bones of the head as they often vary in 

 specimens from different parts, which however can merely allow their being classed as local varieties and not 

 distinct species. 



SYNOPSIS OP GENERA. 



First group — Plesiopina. 

 PseudobranchisB present : ventral with four rays. 



1. Plesiffps. PseudobranchisB. None of the bones of head serrated. VUliform teeth in jaws and palate, 

 none on tongue. The first one or two of the ventral rays elongated and bifid. Bed Sea, through those of 

 India to the Malay Archipelago. 



Second group — Nandina. 



PseudobranchisB absent : ventral with five rays. 



2. Badis. None of the bones of head serrated. ViUiform teeth in jaws, palate, root of tongue and roof 

 of cavity of mouth. Fresh waters of India and Burma. 



3. Ncmdus. Opercles. may be serrated or armed. VUliform teeth in jaws, palate, root of tongue and cavity 

 of mouth. Fresh waters of India and Burma. 



4. Pristolepis. Opercles serrated or armed. Yilliform teeth in jaws and palate, with globular crowns at 

 the root of tongue and roof of cavity of mouth. Fresh waters of India, Burma, Siam to the Malay Archipelago. 



First group — Plesiopina. 



Pseudobranchise present : ventral with four rays. 



. Genus, 1 — Plesiops, Gwu. 



PTiwroptenryx, Riipp. 



Branchiostegals six : 'pseaddbrwnchim. Body oblong and cow/pressed. Mowth moderately protractile. None 

 of the bones of the head serrated. Yilliform teeth on the jaws, vomer, and palatines, none on the tongue. Uleven to 

 twelve spines im, the dorsal fin, three in the anal : ventral with one spine and fomr rays, the outer ones being elongated 

 and bifid. Scales cycloid, of moderate size. Lateral-line interrupted. Air-vessel present. Pyloric appendages 



Geographical distribution. — Red Sea, through those of India to the Malay Archipelago. 



SYNOPSIS OF INDIVIDUAL SPECIES. 

 1. Plesiops nigricans, D. -^.1^, A. f , L. 1. 23-28. Each scale on the body with a blue central spot : a large 



* Dr. Giinther's classification is adhered to for reasons stated in note at p. 2. 



