240 ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



Equula gomorah, Cuv. and Val. x, p. 80 ; Riipp. N. W. Fische, p. 51 ; Blocker, Makr. p. 82. 

 Equula caballa, Bleeker, Oost-Java, (not C. V.) 

 Leiognatkus splendens, Bleeker, Arou, 1873, p. 2. 



B. v, D. W, P. 17, V. 1/5, A. T \, C. 17, L. 1. 55-60. 



Length of Head one-fourth, of caudal 4J-, height of body 2J 7 to 2\ in the total length. Eyes — diameter 

 1/3 of length of head, nearly 1 diameter from end of snout, and also apart. Dorsal profile much more convex 

 than that of the abdomen. Snout obtuse. Interorbital cavity nearly twice as long as "wide. A pair of fine 

 spines at the anterior- superior angle of the orbit, and which are sometimes bifurcated, the distance between 

 the bases of the outer orbital spines equals one-third of the length of the head. Supra-orbital edge rather coarsely 

 serrated. The maxilla reaches to below the middle of the eye. Lower preopercular edge strongly serrated. 

 Mandibles slightly concave. Teeth — in a single row in either jaw. Fins — dorsal spines strong, the second 

 equals about 1/3 of the height of the body, the third is strongly serrated along the anterior edge of its lower 

 third, the fourth and fifth are also serrated. Pectoral as long as the head excluding the snout. Ventral spine 

 strong, the fin nearly reaches the base of the anal : second anal spine strong, equalling about 1/3 of the height 

 of the body, the third serrated anteriorly along its lower third. Caudal deeply forked. Scales — distinct, in 

 irregular rows, and extended ovsr the breast and chest : a large one at base of ventral fin. Lateral-line — 

 consisting of 60 or 70 short tubes, and does not quite reach the base of the caudal fin. Colours — silvery, with 

 a deep black blotch in the upper half of the spinous dorsal : a black mark over snout : axilla dark, and the base 

 of the pectoral black posteriorly. 



It is termed Kulli hare, Tarn., Jerdon, I. c. 



Habitat. — Red Sea, seas of India to the Malay Archipelago ; attaining at least 5 inches in length. 



4. Equula daura, Plate LII, fig. 4. 



Zeus dacer Jca/rah, Russell, Fish. Vizag. i, p. 51, pi. 65. 



Equula daura, Cuv. Reg. Anim. ; Cantor, Catal. p. 150; Jerdon, M. J. L. and Sc. 1851, p. 138 ; Gimther, 

 Catal. ii, p. 502 ; Day, Fish. Malabar, p. 105. 



Equula dacer, Cuv. and Val. x, p. 83 ; Bleeker, Makr. p. 81. 



Equula brevirostris, Bleeker, Batav. and Oost-Java (not Cuv. and Val.). 



B. v, D. rfrj, P. 20, V. 1/5, A. ^ C. 17. 



Length of head 4-|, of caudal 4|, height of body 2f in the total length. Eyes — diameter 1/3 of length of 

 head, 1 diameter from end of snout, and nearly 1 apart. Dorsal profile slightly more convex than that of the 

 abdomen. Interorbital cavity a little more than twice as long as wide. A pair of very small spines at the 

 anterior-superior angle of the orbit. Distance between the outer margins of orbital spines equals 2/5 of the 

 length of the head. Orbital edge not serrated. The maxilla reaches to below the front edge of the eye. Mandibles 

 slightly concave : lips thick. Lower preopercular margin finely serrated. Teeth — fine. Fins — dorsal spines of 

 moderate strength, the second equal to nearly 1/2 the height of the body, the third is slightly serrated 

 anteriorly near its base. Pectoral as long as the head excluding the snout. Ventral does not reach the anal. 

 Anal spines comparatively weak, the second equals 3/10 of the height of the body, the third is serrated 

 anteriorly in its lower third. Caudal forked. Scales — small but distinct, none on breast or chest : an elongated 

 one at base of ventral. Lateral-line — in about 60 short tubes, placed on rounded plate-like scales ; it does not 

 extend on to the caudal fin. Free portion of the tail as long as high. Colours — silvery, with a golden stripe 

 along the side. A dark line along the base of the dorsal : a darkish triangular spot between the occiput and 

 dorsal fin : upper half of spinous dorsal black from the second to the fifth spines. 



It is termed Rama hare, Tarn., Jerdon, I. c. 



Habitat. — Ceylon and Coromandel coast to the Malay Archipelago ; attaining at least 5 inches in length. 

 The specimen figured (life-size) is from Madras. 



5. Equula bindus. 

 Zeus bindoo-karah, Russell, Fish. Vizag. i, p. 50, pi. 64. 



Eqimla bindus, Cuv. and Val. x, p. 78 ; ? Cantor, Catal. p. 148 ; Jerdon, M. J. L. and Sc. 1851, p. 138. 

 B. iv, D. T <v, P. 15, V. 1/5, A. T V 



Length of head 4|, of caudal 4j, height of body 2ij in the total length. Abdominal profile more convex 

 than the dorsal, which is rather concave over the orbits. Fins — second dorsal spine equal to about 1/3 of the 

 height of the body. Ventrals short, scarcely reaching half way to the anal (Russell did not detect any 

 spine in them.) Second anal spine weaker and a little shorter than the second dorsal one. Colours — silvery- 

 olive over the nape, fins hyaline, the upper third of the spinous dorsal orange edged inferiorly with black. 



Amongst Sir W. Elliot's figures of Indian Fishes, is one marked by Jerdon as belonging to this species, 

 and its proportions and colours are very similar to Equula bindoides, Bleeker, Makr. p. 375 and p. 83 ; Giinther, 

 Catal. ii, p. 501 ; Kner, Novara Fische, p. 168. 



Sir W. Elliot's fish is termed Tatnam hare, Tarn. Unfortunately I have mislaid my specimens, so am 

 unable to give a full description. 



Habitat. — Coromandel coast. 



