98 TELEOSTEI. ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



serrated. No spine at nostrils nor at end of the snout. Shoulder- 

 bone siriated and serrated. Fins 2nd, 3rd, and 4th dorsal spines 

 about same height, subsequently the spines decrease to the 10th, 

 which is one fourth as high interspinous membrane deeply emar- 

 ginate ; second dorsal fin highest anteriorly and rather higher than 

 the highest dorsal spine. Ventral reaches halfway to the anal. 

 Colour body with or without longitudinal violet bands, which may 

 be composed of spots. A black spot may be present on either 

 cheek. Usually a black spot on each space between the first four 

 dorsal spines, and sometimes a light mark between the bases of 

 each spine. Anterior edge of soft dorsal and anal, also usually 

 upper and lower edge of caudal, violet. 



Hal. lied Sea, east coast of Africa, seas of India, Malay Archi- 

 pelago, and beyond. 



Family XI. 



Branchiostegals seven ; pseudobranchiae absent. Body oblong 

 and compressed. Eyes large. Cleft of mouth oblique ; lower jaw 

 prominent. A single dorsal fin, the spinous portion of less extent 

 than the soft ; anal elongate, with two or three spines ; ventrals 

 thoracic, with one spine and five rays. Scales of moderate or small 

 size. Air-bladder present. Pylor'ic appendages few. 



Synopsis of Indian Genera. 

 Dorsal spines rudimentary, three anal ones. A hori- 



zontally directed spine between the ventral fins .... 1. KUKTUS. 

 hix dorsal and three aiml spines. Scales over the anal 



lin 2. PEMPHF-niS. 



1. Genus KURTUS, Bloch. 



i f I !? <ly v fc , 1 i ? gly ^Pressed; back elevated. Preopercle denticu- 

 lated \ ,lhform teeth m the jaws, vomer, and palatines. A single 

 dorsal fin ,nuch shorter than the anal, dorsal spines rudimentary ; 

 Soil.?! Veni } \ is * hontal backwardly directed spine. 

 Svtv, 7 I? ^ ]r - bl ^ der P rese ^ enclosed in a conical 

 ; mU made by the ribs which are dilated and convex, and form 

 lings in contact with each other. 



848. (1.) Kurtus indicus. (Fig. 45.) 



1C9 ; * **- In *> p- IH PL xiii, 



Tel.; Ocrdah and Valliaul-cut- 



D. 6-7/13-14. P. 21. A. 2/31-33. C. 17. Vert. 8/15. 

 Length of head 4 to 4J, height of body 3 to 3| in the total length. 



