116 TELEOSTEI. ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



length. Eyes diameter from 4 to 5i in length of head, 1^ to 2 

 diam. from end of snout, and f to 1^ apart. Greatest width ot 

 head equals f of its length. Snout scarcely overhanging jaws, but 

 prominent and swollen above, upper jaw somewhat the longer. 

 Interorbital space nearly flat, and profile over eyes rather concave. 

 The distance between eye and upper edge of maxilla from f to 1 

 diameter of the eye. Preopercle serrated, most distinctly so at its 

 angle ; two weak opercular spines. Shoulder-flap finely serrated. 

 Three small open pores across the snout, and five much larger ones 

 along free edge of skin of snout ; a well-developed lateral lobe. 

 One central and two lateral orifices below symphysis of lower jaw. 

 Teeth an inner enlarged row in the lower jaw. .Fins dorsal 

 spines weak, second to fourth the longest and equal to f height of 

 body and | more than rays. Second anal spine rather strong, f as 

 high as first ray and equal to length of postorbital portion of head, 

 length of base of anal from f to | of that of soft dorsal. % Caudal 



Fig. 49. Scicena coitur. 



wedge-shaped. Scales cycloid on the snout and below the eyes, else- 

 where ctenoid. Lateral line makes a gradual curve, and above the 

 commencement of the anal becomes straight, its tubes give off a 

 single branch on either side. Colour silvery, shot with gold and 

 purple, upper half of first dorsal blackish ; soft dorsal, caudal, and 

 anal dark externally ; the last fin has a darkish basal band. 



This fish appears to vary considerably. Burmese and Bengal 

 adult specimens have 6 or 7 ca?cal appendages, and an eye from 

 to T 2 T the length of the head. In Southern Madras, adults have 9 

 cjecal appendages and an eye about | the length of the head. 

 Sciatna (Corvina) nasus, Steind. Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 1866, 

 p. 771, t. xv, fig. 1, from Calcutta, is probably this species. 



Hal). Throughout the larger rivers of India and Burmah, de- 

 scending to the sea at certain seasons ; and attaining a foot in 

 length. The oiie figured (an adult) is from the Irrawacldy. 



869. (7.) Sciaena axillaris. 



Corvina axillaris, Cuv. 8f Vol. H. N. Poiss. v p 113. 

 Sciaena axillaris, Day, Fish. India, p. 188, pi. xliii, tig. 



6 (see synoii.). 



