SPABIDJG. 33 



769. (7.) Upeneus cinnabarinus. 



Upeneus cinnabarinus, Cuv. # Vol. H. N. Poiss. iii. p. 475 ; Dai/ 

 Fish. India, p. 126. 



D. 8/9. P. 15. V. 1/5. A. 7. C. 15. L. 1. 29. L. tr. 3/7. 



Length of head 4, height of body 4| in the total length. Eyes 

 diameter 4 in length of head, nearly 2 diam. from end of snout, 

 and 1 apart. A rather strong opercular spine. Fins first dorsal 

 spine short, second not quite so long as third. Scales three rows 

 between the two dorsal figs. Lateral line the tubes very arbores- 

 cent posteriorly. Air-bladder small. Colour vermilion, darkest 

 oa the back ; there appears to be a central silvery spot in the 

 middle of each scale in the two rows above and the two below the 

 lateral line. Dorsal and anal rays yellow, the membrane reddish ; 

 upper caudal lobe orange, the lower one red. A large purple spot 

 covers the opercle and descends on the subopercle. Barbels rosy. 



Hob. Ceylon, where it is said to be abundant. 



Family IV. SPARID^E. 



Syuamipinnes, pt., Cuv. ; Chtetodontidce, pt., Richards. 



Branchiostegals from 5 to 7 ; pseudobranchise well developed. 

 Body oblong and compressed. Bones of the head with a rudi- 

 mentary muciferous system. No teeth on the palate (except in 

 Pimelepterus) ; more or less broad and cutting or conical teeth in 

 front of the jaws, or a lateral series of molars, or both conjoined. 

 A single dorsal fin ; bases of spinous and soft portions nearly equal ; 

 anal with three spines ; veutrals thoracic, 1/5. Lateral line con- 

 tinuous, not extending on to the caudal fin. Scales cycloid or 

 minutely ctenoid. 



Geographical Distribution. Seas of temperate and tropical regions, 

 some entering fresh waters. 



of Indian Genera. 

 First group. CANTHABINA. 



Broad cutting-teeth in front of the jaws ; no molars ; palate edentulous. 



Lower pectoral rays branched. 

 Scales on cheeks and opercles,none on the vertical 



fins 1. CRENIDENS. 



Second group. SAEGINA. 



Cutting-teeth in front of jaws and molars at the side. Palate 



edentulous. Lower pectoral rays simple. 

 Molar teeth iu several rows along the sides of the 



jaws , . 2. SABGUS. 



