1849.] Catalogue of Malayan Fishes. 1135 



is triangular, with the posterior part very thin ; the posterior margin is 

 smooth, not toothed, its ascending portion is vertical, the lower rounded, 

 nearly horizontal ; the anterior margin is thick, forming a broad, ob- 

 lique line. The interopercle fits closely so as to cover the branchios- 

 tegous membrane ; its lower margin is convex. The infraorbitals are 

 completely hid. The cheeks, as well as the rest of the head are cover- 

 ed with scales like those of the body, but the opercles have a scaleless 

 appearance. The indistinct lateral line follows the outline of the back 

 along the upper third of the body. It appears during life to be 

 naked ; it is, however, covered with large rounded, diaphanous scales. 

 They are deciduous, and the vertical diameter of the part exposed 

 exceeds three to four times the horizontal. All the spines of the fins 

 are finely transversely striated, but not toothed, and, except the second 

 anal, remarkably slender, transparent. The first dorsal spine is exces- 

 sively minute ; the second is ^ of the third, the length of which 

 slightly exceeds £ of the greatest vertical diameter of the body ; the 

 fourth and fifth are but little shorter. The second anal spine is f of 

 the second dorsal, but much broader, sabre-like ; the third anal is f of 

 the second. The pectorals differ from those of all the other species by 

 being very elongated and falcated ; they extend as far back as the pos- 

 terior third of the dorsal fin ; their length is £ of the total. The ven- 

 trals are less than \ of the pectorals. The caudal lobes equal the 

 length of the head. The series of spines along the base of the dorsal 

 and anal fin are very small. In the Straits of Malacca this species is 

 very abundant at all seasons, and quantities, both fresh and dried, are 

 consumed by the natives. 



Gen. Gazza, Ruppell 1835. 

 Body compressed, with very minute scales ; mouth moderate, greatly 

 protractile, with a single series of crooked teeth among which a few 

 longer and stronger than the rest ; no teeth on the palatals nor vomer ; 

 preopercle with a double margin ; the lower part of the external margin 

 serrated ; otherwise resembling Equula, but the series of spines along 

 the base of the dorsal and anal fins may be felt, not seen. 



Gazza equulaeformis, Ruppell. 

 Gazza equulaeformis, Ruppell : Neue Wirbelth. Fische, 4, Tab. 1, 



Fig. 3. 

 Head above and back pale lead coloured, minutely dotted with black ; 



7 g 



