1849.] Catalogue of Malayan Fishes. 1263 



denum is surrounded by numerous appendicula ccecopylorica, each of 

 which divides in two or more portions, of which an innumerable mass, 

 extending about If inches from pylorus, envelops the intestine. Those 

 nearest the pylorus are the longest, about one inch in length. The in- 

 testines, throughout of nearly uniform diameter, form many circum- 

 volutions ; from pylorus their length is about 3| times that of the fish ; 

 but including oesophagus and the stomach, the length of the entire 

 intestinal canal is a little less than four times the total length of the 

 fish. The liver and the spleen are very large, the former elongated 

 single-lobed ; the latter of a beautiful black with purple reflections. 

 The air-vessel is very large, spindle-shaped, terminating behind in an 

 elongated point ; the anterior margin is straight with a short pointed 

 process on each side. It communicates with the anterior portion of 

 the stomach through a short canal proceeding from the anterior part 

 of the lower surface. Its coats are very thin, white, covered by the 

 black peritoneum. In a male, 2 feet in total length, the intestinal 

 canal was of the following dimensions. 



(Esophagus, feet 2f inch. 



Anterior portion of stomach, „ 5 „ 



Posterior do ,«. „ If „ 



Intestines, 7 „ Of „ 



7 feet 9f inch. 



The description and figure of Russell, No. CCVII. Palah Bontah, 

 establish beyond doubt the identity of the present species, which Dr. 

 Ruppell believes to be identical with Mugil chanos, Forskal. The 

 figure of Lutodeira chanos, Ruppell* gives indeed the exact proportions 

 of the fish observed at Pinang, and the anatomical details, the singular 

 structure of the oesophagus and stomach of which Dr. Ruppell gave 

 the first account, also correspond. But the length of the intestinal 

 canal has been omitted, and till that is known, the identity cannot be 

 decided. M. Valenciennes considers Russell's Palah Bontah to be 

 distinct from Mugil chanos, Forskal in consequence of the eight or nine 



* Atlas, 18, Tab. 5, Fig. 1. Syn. Mugil chanos, Forsk. 74, No. 110.— Mu- 

 gil salmoneus, J. R. Forster, Msc. IV. 14. — Chanos arabicus, Lacep. V. 395, — • 

 Palah Bontah, Russell, CCVII.— Lutodeira indica, Van Hasselt, apud Ferrusac. 



7 z 



