KURTID^E. 99 



Eyes in anterior half of the head, 1 diameter from end of snout, 

 and 1| apart. Males with a cartilaginous arched process directed 

 forwards, and situated a short distance in front of the dorsal fin. 

 Lower jaw having a tuberosity at the symphysis : when the mouth is 

 closed the extremity of the mandible forms a portion of the dorsal 

 profile. A strong, short spine directed downwards at angle of pre- 

 opercle, and two or three more along its lower edge ; the occipital 

 ridge rough. Fins dorsal fin having five spines in front of the 

 soft portion, preceded by a recumbent spine directed anteriorly; in 



Fig. ^o.Kurtus indicus (male). 



front of this spine are some points appearing above the skin, most 

 distinct in the fry, and similar to the rudimentary fins of Stroma- 

 teidw, &c. ; soft portion of the dorsal fin highest anteriorly ; ventral 

 reaches as far as the anal, it has a short backwardly directed spine 

 in front of the base of the outer ray of either fin, and also a similar 

 horizontal but larger one between the two fins ; second anal spine 

 two thirds as high as the rays ; caudal deeply lobed. Scales fine 

 and irregular on the body. Lateral line ceases opposite end ot 

 soft dorsal. Colour silvery shot with steel-blue or lilac; back 

 with fine black dots which behind the occiput form a rounded black 

 spot. 



Hal. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago and beyond. 

 This fish attains at least 4.1 inches in length, and is most numerous 

 on the Coromandel coast during the cold months. 



2. Genus PEMPHERIS, Cuv. & Val. 



Head obtuse. Opercle with a small spine. Villiform teeth on 

 the iaws, vomer, and palatine bones. A single short dorsal E 

 with 6 spines and 9 rays ; anal with 3 spines and many rays. 

 Si-ales small, extended over the anal iin. Air-bladder divided n 

 an anterior and posterior portion. Pyloric appendages 



Geographical Distribution. Indian and Pacific Oceans within He 

 tropics. 



