1849.] Catalogue of Malayan Fishes . 1215 



The length of the head is 5| in the total. The distance from the 

 oval muzzle to the anterior angle of the upper orbit is T x z of the total 

 length ; the point proceeding downwards from the muzzle is broad, 

 barely covering the symphysis of the lower jaw ; its length equals the 

 distance between the muzzle and the upper orbit. Both orbits are 

 nearly equal ; the upper one is situated at the second fifth of the head 

 opposite the middle of the upper lip ; the horizontal diameter is ^ of 

 the length of the head. The lower orbit is placed very little farther back 

 than the upper. The interval between both is excessively narrow, a short 

 linear septum ; between the anterior angles of both appears a small 

 pointed, triangular, bony protuberance. The nostril has a single aper- 

 ture in front of the lower eye, above the upper lip. The lips are 

 fleshy, not papillular ; the excessively minute teeth on the right side 

 are completely hid from view. The tongue is linear, smooth. The 

 greatest vertical diameter, at the anterior third of the body, equals the 

 length of the bead. On it appear 17 series of remarkably large scales, 

 of a broad oval form. The length of the largest is \ of the head^ 

 their breadth y 1 ^ ; at the radical part appear upwards of 50 radiating 

 lines ; at the posterior margin 36 to 38 fine spines, rough to the touch. 

 A straight line between the opercle and caudal contains 59 scales. 

 The lateral line and its ramifications resemble those of P. bilineata. 

 The dorsal commences at a distance from the muzzle of \ of that from 

 the latter to the upper eye ; the longest rays, as well as the pointed 

 caudal, is i of the head. The distance between the left ventral 

 and the anal is -J- of that between the muzzle and the upper eye. 

 Both ventrals are nearly equal, ^ of the head ; the last ray of the left 

 ventral is throughout united to the first anal. In other respects the 

 fins resemble those of P. bilineata. A single individual occurred at 

 Pinang in December 1842. The scales were deciduous, probably from 

 decay. The fishermen were not acquainted with the species. 



Plagusia lingva, (Buchanan Hamilton.) 



Cynoglossus lingva, Buchan. Ham. 32, 365.* 

 ' Ikan ledah' of the Malays. 



Left side. Reddish brown ; the scales with golden iridescent reflec- 

 tions, a dark longitudinal central line, and the posterior margin buff; 

 * Marked Acheiris jibha in Buchanan's duplicate series of drawings. 



7 R 



