BCIJIMIDJE. 107 



Eye* diameter 4 to 5 in length of head, | diam. from end of 

 snout, and 1 apart. The maxilla extends 1 diameter behind poste- 

 rior edge of orbit. Angle of preopercle produced and rounded, its 

 vertical margin serrated and having its strongest denticulation just 

 above the angle. Fins third dorsal spine equals three-fourths 

 height of body, and is as long as the anterior rays of the second 

 dorsal, the upper edge of which fin is concave. Pectoral rays un- 

 divided ; the free rays reach nearly to the end of the ventral, which 

 latter extends to the vent. Anal similar to second dorsal, its first 

 spine minute or absent ; caudal deeply forked. Air-bladder absent. 

 Cwcal appendages numerous. Cohur silvery green, becoming 

 yellowish white on the sides and abdomen ; dorsal and caudal 

 greyish, with minute black points, and nearly black at the edges ; 

 ventral and anal pale orange in their outer halves ; pectoral tila- 

 ments white. A dark mark on the upper portion of the opercle. 



Hal>, Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago and China ; attain- 

 ing 6 feet arid upwards in length. This species is excellent eat- 

 ing, and appears to ascend higher up the rivers than any of the 

 others, arid the young are numerous in the Hooghly at Calcutta. 

 Ham. Buchanan observes: "I have been assured by a credible 

 native that he saw one which was a load for six men, and which 

 certainly therefore exceeded in weight 320 Ibs. avoirdupois " (Figh. 

 Gatv/es, p. 225). 



Family XIII. SCLENID^!. 



Branchiostegals seven. Body somewhat compressed and rather 

 elongate. Mouth in front of or below the snout. Cheeks un- 

 armed ; opercles sometimes with weak spines. Barbels present in 

 a few genera. Muciferous system on the head well developed. 

 Teeth in villiform bands, with the outer or inner row often en- 

 larged ; canines present in some genera ; palate edentulous. Two 

 dorsal fins, the second much more developed than the first or than 

 the anal ; anal with one or two spines ; pectoral rays branched ; 

 ventrals thoracic, 1/5. Scales ctenoid or cycloid, covering the head 

 arid snout, placed in oblique and often sinuous rows on the body. 

 Lateral line complete, often continued on to the caudal fin. 

 Stomach caecal. Air-bladder, when present, as a rule with branch- 

 ing or elongated appendages. Pyloric appendages generally few. 



Geographical Distribution. Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Not 

 found in the Pacific or the Ked Sea. Numerous on the Indian 

 coast, many kinds entering estuaries and rivers. 



Uses. The air-bladders of many of these fishes are extensively 

 collected along the coasts of India for making isinglass. 



Synopsis of Indian Genera. 



A. No large canines in front of jaws. 



Upper jaw overlapping 1 lower. A barbel under 



mandibular symphysis 1. UMBBINA. 



