TETJTniDID.E. 87 



diameter 7 in length of head. Cleft of mouth does not extend to 

 below front edge of orbit, fins dorsal commences above axial of 

 pectoral, but does not extend on to the caudal. Colour brownish 

 \vith a broad black band along the side from the pectoral to the 

 caudal fin. 



Fig. 41 .Malacanthus lativittatus. 

 Hal. New Guinea, Mauritius, Ceylon (Holy). 



Family IX. TEUTHIDID/E. 



Teuthyes, pt., Cuv. 



Branchiostegals five; pseudobranchiae well developed. Bo,ly 

 oval and strongly compressed. Eyes of moderate size, lateral. 

 Mouth slightly cleft, and but little protractile. A single row of 

 cutting incisors in either jaw ; palate edentulous. One dorsal fin 

 with the spinous portion more developed than the soft ; anal with 

 seven spines. Ventrals thoracic, each with two spines and three 

 intermediate soft rays. Scales minute. Lateral line complete. 



1. Genus TEUTHIS, Linn. 



Syn. Sifffinus, Forsk. ; Centroyaster, Iloutt. ; Amphacanthus, Bl. Schn. ; 

 Buro (Comm.) Lacep. 



Worah, Tarn. ; Nya-pron-ka, Mugh. 



Teeth small. A single dorsal fin with thirteen spines and a hori- 

 zontal one in front. Scales cycloid. Air-bladder large, forked 

 both auteriorlv and posteriorly. Pyloric appendages when present 

 few (4-0) *. 



Geographical Distribution. Eed Sea, Indian and Pacific Oceans. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



Pale round spols on back, becom lug elongate 



and passing into bands on abdomen . . 1. T.j'ava, p. 88. 



Sinuous vermiculate blue linos on body 



throughout ; height 2| in total 2. T. vermiciilata, p. 88. 



Sinuous blue lines on back, becoming longi- 

 tudinal below; height 3 in total 3. T. marmorata, p. 89. 



Blue spots on back, 2 oblique brown bands 



on head and shoulder 4. T. viryata, p. 89. 



* Riippcll states that, in T. sigana they are absent. 



