232 ACANTHOPTBRTGn. 



Ghorinemus tola, Cuv. and Val. viii, p. 377 ; Jerdon, M. J. L. and Sc. 1851, p. 136 ; Gunther, Catal. ii, 

 p. 473 ; Day, Fish. Malabar, p. 93. 



B. Yiii, -D.7\^, P. 19, V. 1/5, A. 2 I J^, C. 17. 



Length of head 5f , of caudal 4|, height of body 3| in the total length. %es— diameter 1/4 of length 

 of head, 1 diameter from end of snout, and IJ apart. Greatest width of head equals 3/7, and its height equals 

 7/8 of 'its length. Dorsal and abdominal profiles equally convex. Lower jaw prominent : cleft of mouth 

 commences opposite the upper third of the eye : the maxilla (which is uncovered from below the middle of 

 the eye) extends to beneath the hind edge of the eye. Greatest depth of preorbital equals 3/7 of width 

 of orbit. Posterior limb of preopercle nearly vertical, and its angle not produced. _ Teeth — ^two strong 

 canines directed a Uttle outwards at the symphysis in either premaxillary, and several vUliform rows behind 

 them, laterally a single row of rather distantly placed pointed teeth : in the lower jaw at the symphysis are two 

 canines anteriorly pointing a little forward, posteriorly two more directed upwards, laterally two rows of teeth, 

 the inner being considerably the larger : in a quadrangidar spot on the vomer, in a pyriform band larger 

 anteriorly on the palatines, and also on the tongue. Fins—dorBal spines overlapping and twisting slightly 

 laterally when elevated. Second dorsal commences midway between the nostrils and the base of the caudal, 

 its first portion equals 2\ in the height of the body, and is 1/5 longer than the anterior part of the anal. Pectoral 

 as long as the head without the snout. Ventral reaches 2/5 of the distance to the anal. Caudal deeply forked. 

 Scales — rhomboidal, and more or less pointed posteriorly, on being removed the outer half is found to be 

 lanceolate, the posterior more contracted. Lateral-line — ^becomes straight below the middle dorsal spine, in this 

 course it has an angular elevation above the last 2/3 of the pectoral fin. Colours — leaden-silvery in the upper 

 third of the back, silvery -white on the sides and below, a series of 7 spots above the middle of the sides, the 

 two first being. intersected by the lateral-Hue. Summit of second dorsal black. 



Habitat. — Seas of India, attaining at least 6| inches in length. 



5. Ghorinemus toloo, Plate LI, A. fig. 3. 



Soomher toloo paraJi, Russell, Pish. Vizag. ii, p. 29, pi. 137. 



Ghorinemus toloo, Cuv. and Val. viii, p. 377 ; Giinther, Catal. ii, p. 473 ; Day, Fish. Malabar, p. 96 ; 

 Klunz. Verb. z. b. Ges. Wien, 1871, p. 447. 



B. viii, D. 7 I TT^TO, P. 20, V. 1/5, A. 2 | ^l^s, C. 19. 



Length of head 5f, of pectoral 1/8 to 85, of caudal 4| to one-fifth, height of body 34 to 3| in the total 

 length. Eyes — diameter 2/9 of length of head, 1 diameter from end of snout, and also apart. Body eUiptical, 

 compressed ; a gradual rise to the first dorsal. Greatest width of head equals 2^ in its length, and 

 its height almost its length. Cleft of mouth commences opposite the upper third of the eye. The maxilla 

 extends to nearly or quite below the posterior margin of the orbit : upper jaw only uncovered in the last 1/3 

 of its extent : premaxillaries equal to 4/7 of the length of the head. Preorbital narrow, but covering the first 2/3 

 of the maxilla : preopercle narrow, having its angle rounded and produced. Central crest of the skuU distinct. 

 Teeth — comparatively large, in a single row in the upper jaw and in two in the lower, the outer of which last 

 is directed somewhat outwards, whilst there are two canine-like teeth on either side of the symphysis 

 of the lower jaw : in a triangular patch on the vomer : an elongated pyriform band, largest anteriorly on the 

 palatines, and on the tongue. Fins — the anterior portion of the soft dorsal elevated, similar to the anal,^nd 1/2 

 the height of the body, the posterior 8 or 10 rays of either fin semi-detached, and the last rather elongated. 

 Caudal deeply forked. Scales — small but distinct, and lanceolate in their exposed portion. Lateral-line — has a 

 very slightly raised angle in the first part of its course, but its general direction is straight. Golours — greenish 

 tinge along the back shot with blue, becoming of a dull silvery below the lateral-line. Six to eight moderately 

 sized, oval, and indistinct vertical spots or blotches on the side, usually intersected by the lateral-line. Vertical 

 fins darkish. 



Habitat.— -Be&s of India, the specimen figured (11 inches long) is from the Andamans ; it is said to attain 

 eighteen inch£s in length. 



Genus, 7 — Teachtnotus,* (Lacep.) Cu/v. and Val. 



Acanthinion and Gcesiomorus, Laoep. 



BroMcUostegals seven; pseudobranchics absent. Body compressed, more or less elevated, with the frontal 

 region prominent. Hyes_ lateral. Snout obtuse and swollen: cleft of mouth small. Teeth on the jaws, vomer, and 

 palatines, usually lost with age. Two dorsal fins, the first composed of spines having a small connecting membrane 

 (receivable into a groove at their base), and a horizontal one, directed fonvards, anterior to the fin : second dorsal and 

 anal with more rays than spines in the first dorsal ; the anterior portion of the second dorsal am,d anal pointed and 

 elongated : two pre-anal spines sepwrated by an interspace from, the remainder p/ thefim, : no finlets. Scales small. 

 LateraUine unarmed. An air-vessel bifurcated posteriorly. Pyloric appendages numerous, or in moderate numbers. 



Geographical distribution.— 'Fvom the Red Sea, through the seas of India to the Malay Archipelago 

 and beyond. 



* CuUalU, Tamil ■ ■ ■ ' '•'■•" • > ' ■ • 



