432 AI^ACANTHINI. 



aiwi cm-v'es downwards and hachwards in the form of a hooh. Mouth rather narrow and tmsymmetrical. Lips not 

 fringed. There may le two nodrils on the colowed side, one of which is in the interorbital space (Arelia); or two 

 nostrils hefore the lower eye, the inferior of which is hroader than the superior one (Oantoria); or only one nostril 

 which is in front of the lower eye (Trulla) ; or no conspicuous nostril (Icania). Minute teeth on the right side only. 

 Vertical fins confluent : pectorals absent. Scales ctenoid or cycloid. Lateral-line on trie colowed side double 

 or triple. 



Geographical distribution. — Tropical seas, some are found in tidal rivers, and are said to enter fresh-water. 



SYNOPSIS OF SPECIES. 



A. Three lateral-lines on the coloured side. 



1. Gynoglossus quinquelineatus, D. 109, A. 91, L. I. 100. An open nostril between the eyes, a tubular one 

 before the lower eye. Scales ctenoid on coloured side only, 17 rows between upper and middle lateral-lines, 

 15 between middle and lower. Opercle black. Madras. 



B. Two lateral-lines on the coloured side : a patent nostril between the eyes, a tubular one before lower orbit. 



2. Gynoglossus lingua, D. 142-150, A- 105-110, L. 1. 100-115, L. tr.* 13. Scales feebly ctenoid, and on 

 the coloured side only : one lateral-line on the blind side. Seas and estuaries of India to the Malay Archipelago 

 and beyond. 



3. Gynoglossus ehngatus, D. 137-140, A. 107-110, L. 1. 95-110, L. tr. 6. Scales cycloid on both sides. 

 One lateral-line on the blind side. iMadras, Pinang. 



4. Gynoglossus oligolepis, D. 118-129, A. 91-95, L. 1. 65-75, L. tr. 8-9. Scales ctenoid on the coloured 

 side only. One lateral-line on the blind side. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago. 



5. Gynoglossus macrolepidotus, D. 116-118, A. 86-90, L. 1. 50-55, L. tr. 6-7. Scales ctenoid on the 

 coloured side only. One lateral-line on the blind side. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago. 



6. Gynoglossus Sindensis, D. 106-116, A. 83, L.l. 108, L. tr. 19-20. Angle of mouth in middle of length 

 of head. Scales ctenoid on coloured side only. Two lateral-lines on the bHnd side. Sind, through seas 

 of India. 



7. Gynoglossus arel, D. 104-114, A. 85, L. 1. 96, L. tr. 7. Scales ctenoid on coloured side only : a single 

 lateral-line on the blind side. 



8. Gynoglossus dispar, D. 109-112, A. 90-94, L. 1. 110-115, L. tr. 18-19. Angle of mouth in front half 

 of head. Scales ctenoid on coloured side only. Two lateral-lines on the blind side. Seas of India. 



9. Gynoglossus dubius, D. 110, A. 88, L. 1. 21. Scales cycloid on both sides. Two lateral-Hnes on the 

 bhnd side. Beloochistan and Sind. 



10. Gynoglossus quadrilvneatus, D. 107, A. 80-88, L. 1. 14-15. Scales ctenoid on the coloured side only. 

 Two lateral-lines on the blind side. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago. 



11. Gynoglossus brachyrhynchus, D. 106, A. 78, L. 1. 90-94, L. tr. 17-18. Scales ctenoid on both sides. 

 A single lateral-line on the blind side. Estuaries of Bengal and Burma to the Malay Archipelago. 



12. Gynoglossus Bengalensis, D. 101-103, A. 78-80, L. 1. 90-95, L. tr. 13-14. Height of body 3J to 3f in 

 the total length. Snout 2/5 of length of head. Scales ctenoid on both sides. A single lateral-line on the 

 blind side. Hooghly at Calcutta. 



13. Gynoglossus Hamiltonii, D. 101, A. 76, L. 1. 105, L. tr. 15-16. Scales ctenoid on both sides. A single 

 lateral-line on the blind side. Hooghly. 



14. Gynoglossus lida, D. 99-104, A. 75-83, L. 1. 90, L. tr. 13. Height of body 4 to 4| in the total length. 

 Scales ctenoid on both sides. A single lateral-line on the bHnd side. Burma to the Malay Archipelago. 



15. Gynoglossus semifa&ciatus, D. 9,8-103, A. 76-80, L. 1. 86, L. tr. 12-13. Snout 2/7 of length of head. 

 Scales ctenoid on both sides. A single lateral-line on the blind side. Madras. 



16. Gynoglossus pwicticeps, D. 94-100, A. 74-80, L. 1. 95-100, L. tr. 16-17. Snout 1/3 of length of head. 

 Scales ctenoid on both sides. A single lateral-line on the blind side. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago. 



17. Gynoglossus brevis, D. 95, A. 70-76, L. 1. 96, L. tr. 17-18. Scales ctenoid on both sides. A single 

 lateral-line on the blind side. Hooghly at Calcutta. 



18. Gynoglossus brevi/rostris, D. 91, A. 76, L. 1. 78, L. tr. 10. Scales ctenoid on both sides. A single 

 lateral-line on the blind side, Madras. 



A. Three lateral-lines on the coloured side. 



1. Gynoglossus quinquelineatus, Plate XCVIII, fig. 1. 

 B. vi, a 109, Y. 4, A. 91, C. 13, L. 1. 100. 



Length of head 5i, height of body 4 in the total length. .Bi/es— diameter 9 J in the length of head, 

 about 4 from the end oi snout, and 1 apart : the upper slightly in advance of the lower. Height of the head 

 equals its length. The maxilla reaches to rather behind the hind edge of the lower orbit, and is situated rather 

 nearer to the gilLoppmng than to the end of the snout. Two nostrils, a patent one between the orbits, and a 



* By L. tr. is here understood the greatest number of rows of scales between the two lateral-lines on the left or coloured side. 



