1 84 9 . j Catalogue of Malayan Fishes. 129? 



series is filled by a short series of minute conical teeth. The third 

 internal series is also minute, and extends from the angle of the mouth 

 to a little in front of the posterior half of the jaw. The tongue is small, 

 elongated, and tied to the floor of the mouth ; it extends to a little in 

 front of the posterior third of the mouth. The vertical diameter at the 

 occiput equals the distance from the muzzle to the posterior nasal aper- 

 ture, or it is contained from A\ to 5 times in the distance from the 

 muzzle to the gill-opening. The greatest vertical diameter of the body 

 is ^ of the distance from the muzzle to the gill-opening; the smallest, 

 in front of the caudal, is } of the latter. The lateral line commences 

 from the side of the occiput, gently declining towards the end of the 

 anterior fourth of the body, from whence it continues a little above the 

 middle of the side straight to the caudal. It is composed of a series of 

 tubes placed in pairs one above the other, none exceeding in length ^ the 

 diameter of the eye. Each lower tube sends two branches obliquely 

 downwards, and between these branches appears a pore. The dorsal 

 commences a little in front of the gill-opening, at a distance from the 

 base of the upper pectoral ray of £ of the length of that fin. The dorsal 

 and anal rays are undivided. All the fins present the peculiarity of having 

 double rays ; they appear to be single, but are composed of two distinct 

 ones placed transversely, and kept by the fin-membrane so closely in 

 contact, that each pair can act like a single ray. The caudal is closely 

 united with the dorsal and anal, from both of which it may be distin- 

 guished by its much slenderer, branched, rays ; their length either equals 

 or slightly exceeds that of the dorsal rays. The anus is situated in front 

 of the middle, either at, or a little behind the end of the fifth-twelfth of 

 the total length. The anal fin commences immediately behind the vent ; 

 the rays are § of those of the dorsal. The pectorals are elongated, 

 with branched rays • their length equals the distance from the muzzle 

 to the posterior margin of the orbit. The skin is smooth and naked. 

 The description and figure of Russell are sufficient, easily to identify 

 the species, which Mr. McClelland has renamed Murcenesox serraden- 

 tata and described as having serrated teeth on the vomer. This error 

 would appear to originate in a singular misinterpretation. Russell 

 describes the jaws : " in both there are long crooked teeth in front, 

 with a regular row of straight teeth in the upper jaw, which is rough 

 on both sides like a file." Russell could not have chosen a more 



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