1849.] Catalogue of Malayan Fishes, 1267 



margin downwards, occupying the sides of the throat. In four indivi- 

 duals examined the left branchiostegous membrane overlapped the 

 right and presented one additional ray. Two measuring 9f inch, and 

 one 8f inch in length, had 16 branchiostegous rays in the left, 15 in 

 the right membrane. A fourth, 9f inch in length, had 14 in the left, 

 13 in the right membrane. The two or three anterior rays are short, 

 linear, and not sabre-like as the rest, and as they are hid by the 

 lax membrane, they may easily escape observation, unless they are 

 brought to view by dissection. The greatest vertical diameter of the 

 body, in front of the dorsal, is \ of the total length. The scales are 

 disposed on 15 longitudinal series, and in general form resemble those 

 of A. macrocephala, (Cuv. and Val. XIX. PI. 573.) Examined through 

 a compound microscope, (385 linear), the longitudinal striae appear to 

 be composed of horse-shoe-like protuberances, not of bead-like strings, 

 as in macrocephala. The lateral line occupies the ninth series ; it 

 follows for a short distance the gill-opening, and then continues straight 

 in the middle of the side to the root of the caudal. It is composed of 

 simple central tubes, on 72 to 78 triangular scales, somewhat smaller 

 than the rest. All the fin-membranes are covered by minute oblong 

 scales, either transparent or silvery. The dorsal fin commences a little 

 in front of the centre between the muzzle and the root of the caudal. 

 The central series of scales of the back are not larger than the rest, 

 but on the contrary, somewhat smaller. The ventrals commence not 

 behind the posterior dorsal ray, but opposite the 13th or 14th. In 

 form all the fins resemble those of A. macrocephala, but the upper 

 caudal lobe, equal the length of the head, is longer than the lower. In 

 three individuals the difference scarcely exceeded J, but in a fourth the 

 lower lobe was but f of the upper one. The stomach is elongated 

 cylindrical, capacious, very thin. It contained remains of small 

 shrimps. Round the pylorus appear fourteen large appendicula 

 ccecopylorica. The intestinal canal is simple, little more than half 

 the total length of the fish. The other viscera resemble those of 

 A. macrocephala. Four individuals were taken in February 1845 

 in fishing-stakes off the coast of Pinang. The fishermen, evidently not 

 well acquainted with the species, asserted it to be of rare occurrence, 

 and highly valued. Out of water it soon expires and becomes soft. 

 This fish nearest agrees with A. erythrocheilos. It differs in the 



