1849.] Catalogue of Malayan Fishes. 1277 



gin is falcated ; the fourth and fifth, the longest rays, equal the extent 

 of the base ; the last ray is elongated, \ of the fifth ray. The caudal 

 is deeply cleft ; the length of the lobes slightly exceeds \ of the total 

 length. The distance from the caudal to the anal equals the horizontal 

 diameter of the eye ; the extent of the base of the anal is J of the 

 head ; the rays are § of the diameter of the eye, but the last is a little 

 elongated. The ventrals are placed opposite the middle of the dorsal, 

 at equal distances from the root of the upper pectoral and the first 

 anal ray ; their length is 2J in the head. The length of the pectorals 

 is f of the head. The scales are very deciduous, thin, and large, their 

 circumference nearly equalling the eye. They have excessively fine 

 vertical lines, and besides three larger distant ones, traversing the whole 

 height of the scales ; parallel to the posterior margin appears an irre- 

 gular series of minute oval holes. There are eleven series on each side, 

 and about 45 scales between the gill-opening and the caudal. Single 

 individuals occur at Pinang at all seasons, but great numbers during 

 June, July and August. They are of delicate flavour and pass in the 

 settlements of the Straits under the denomination of ' Sardines,' in 

 imitation of which they are sometimes preserved in oil. A resemblance 

 to Alausa argyrochloris, Cuv. et Val. (vol. XX. p. 440) is farther 

 increased by the impossibility of perceiving the teeth either in fresh 

 state or in specimens preserved in spirits of wine. They require the 

 aid of a lens to be distinguished in the skeleton. The general form, 

 the yellow dorsal fin with a small black spot give the present species 

 a certain resemblance to Meletta venenosa, Cuv. et Val. (vol. XX. p. 

 377). Some specimens of Clupeonia perforata, procured by W. T. 

 Lewis, Esq. Assist. Resid. Councillor, Pinang, were accompanied by 

 the following account of a phsenomenon witnessed by that gentleman 

 during his official residence at Bencoolen. In 1822 great numbers 

 of what was supposed to be this identical species, presented the un- 

 usual appearance of having red eyes. Many natives after having eaten 

 these fishes, were suddenly attacked with violent vomiting, which in 

 cases where remedies were not immediately applied, was known within 

 an hour to terminate fatally. At the same time such of these fishes 

 with the ordinary silvery eyes, were as formerly eaten with impunity. 

 This phsenomenon reoccurred at Bencoolen during the seasons of 1823 

 and 1825, but not of 1824. It was surmised that the poisonous fishes 



