1262 Catalogue of Malayan Fishes, [Dec. 



head. The semilunar laminae are closely pressed to the fin, with the 

 free convex margin towards the lateral line ; the length of the straight 

 margin or base is f of the horizontal diameter of the eye. In the 

 adult the vertical diameter of the laminae is £ of the diameter of the 

 eye, but in the young it is less. The extent of the base of the anal fin 

 equals its distance from the root of the caudal ; the anterior ray is very 

 small and, as well as the second and third, undivided ; the last ray is 

 the longest, terminating in a narrow point, its length | of the head. 

 The base like that of the dorsal is enclosed between two series of elongat- 

 ed scales of which the last half covers the corresponding ray. The 

 ventrals commence opposite the posterior half of the dorsal, or half- 

 way between the first pectoral and the last anal ray. The first ventral 

 ray slightly exceeds \ the length of the head ; the outer scaly appen- 

 dage is nearly J of the first ray ; the inner one is much shorter and 

 broader, triangular. The pectorals commence close to the abdomen, 

 immediately behind the gill-opening ; the first ray is about § of the 

 length of the head. The outer scaly appendage is very long, f of the 

 first ray ; the inner one is broader and but half the length of the 

 former. At Pinang single individuals occur at all seasons, and are 

 highly valued for their very delicate flavour. The oesophagus is 

 spindle-shaped, fleshy, exceeding half the length of the head by |. 

 The external surface is smooth, with a spiral, linear impression, 

 corresponding to the internal spiral ridge, which makes 21 very 

 oblique turns. The ridge is of a triangular form, both sides are 

 divided by numerous backwards-directed linear ridges, each of which 

 carries a great number of small, soft, pointed papillae ; the free margin 

 towards the cavity of the oesophagus is smooth, but on that of 

 the fourteen anterior turns appear some distant-pointed, backwards- 

 directed papillae, which are much longer than those of the sides. The 

 stomach consists of two portions, of which the anterior is cylindrical, 

 narrow at cardia, bent like a double horse-shoe, and then joins the 

 short, pyriform posterior portion. The latter is very fleshy, 

 hard, gizzard-like. Both portions are lined by 6 to 10 longitu- 

 dinal rather large folds ; towards pylorus the coats are very thick, 

 forming there two rounded hard protuberances. The length of 

 the stomach slightly exceeds 3f in the total. In one examined it con- 

 tained some remains of vegetable matter, and green mucus. The duo- 



