12/2 Catalogue of Malayan Fishes, [Dec. 



The length of the head is 4f in the total ; the depth at occiput f of 

 the length. The horizontal diameter of the eye is 2f in the length of 

 the head, the distance across the forehead is | of the diameter. The 

 greatest vertical diameter, in front of the dorsal, equals the length of 

 the head. The scales are disposed on twelve longitudinal series, of 

 which the sixth carries the lateral line. The latter declines towards 

 the dorsal from whence it continues straight to the caudal. In the 

 adult it occupies from 38 to 41 scales, each carrying a rather indistinct 

 central tube, from above and below which radiate backwards from six 

 to eight fine branches. The left branchiostegous membrane partially 

 overlaps the right. The elongated bony plate between the branches 

 of the lower jaw slightly exceeds the horizontal diameter of the eye. 

 Of the anterior dorsal rays the fourth or the seventh is the longest, 

 about | of the length of the head. The last dorsal ray is divided 

 in two portions of which the posterior is again divided in two fila- 

 ments, provided in front and behind with a narrow loose mem- 

 brane. The filament in some reaches the root of the caudal, but it is 

 frequently much shorter, particularly in old individuals. A young 

 one, 4|- inch in length, differed in, contrary to the generality of fishes, 

 having the eye proportionally smaller than the adult ; the lateral line, 

 occupied but 29 scales, each carrying a very distinct central tube with 

 two or three short spine-like branches ; the dorsal filament was very- 

 short, its length less than the longest of the anterior rays ; the left 

 branchiostegous membrane contained but 23 rays, the right one less, 

 and the colour of the head and back were paler than in the adult. At 

 Pinang single individuals are taken at all seasons in the fishing-stakes 

 off the coast ; but those inhabiting fresh-water are numerous. In both 

 localities their food is small fishes and Crustacea, but in the latter they 

 also prey upon insects. Notwithstanding their numerous fine bones they 

 are valued for their flavour, which loses nothing by their being introduced 

 in tanks where they rapidly multiply and fatten. M. Valenciennes 

 considers Megalops setipinnis, Richardson,* to be identical with, ancl 

 M. curtifilis, Richardson,f to be the young of the present species. 



* Ann. Nat. Hist. X. 493, and Report, 1845, 310. 

 f Report, 1845, 310. 



