120 TELEOSTEI. ACANTHOPTEEYGII. 



of four pores across the snout, the free edge of the skin with five 

 orifices and a lateral lobe. A central pore below the rnandibular 

 symphysis, having two more on either side of it. Teeth in the 

 lower jaw villiform in several rows above the symphysis, whilst 

 laterally the inner row consists of curved, enlarged teeth, and the 

 outer villiform ones soon disappear. Fins dorsal spines of mo- 

 derate strength, the third to the seventh longest, equal to half 

 the height of the body and one third higher than the second dorsal 

 fin. Outer ventral ray prolonged. Second anal spine f as long 

 as first ray, and about "g height of body, length of base of fin | of 

 that of soft dorsal. Caudal wedge-shaped in the young, becoming 

 more obtuse in the adult. Scales ctenoid, except on the cheeks. 

 Lateral line the tubes have usually a single branch on either side. 

 Air-bladder with 14 or 15 lateral processes on either side, each 

 having two or three insertions. Colour silvery grey, abdomen 

 whitish, cheeks tinged with golden. Five broad black bands, some- 

 times interrupted, extend over the back : the first from the nape 

 passes backwards and downwards, and shortly after crossing 

 the lateral line abruptly terminates ; the second passes back- 

 wards and downwards from between the fifth and seventh 

 dorsal spines and terminates opposite middle of ventral fin ; 

 the third arises opposite the second and third dorsal rays or 

 between the two dorsal fins ; the fourth below centre of second 

 dorsal, the fifth below last few dorsal rays ; occasionally there is 

 a sixth over the free portion of the tail. Upper two thirds of 

 first dorsal stained black, becoming more indistinct with age ; 

 caudal slightly tinged with black, the other fins yellowish. 



Hob. Seas of India, attaining at least a foot in length ; not con- 

 sidered good eating. 



874. (12.) Sciaena belangeri. 



Corona belengerii, Cm. $ Veil. H. N. Poiss. v, p. 120. 

 Sciaena belengeri, Day, Fish. India, p. 191, pi. xliv, fig. 5 (see 

 Bynon.). 



Tooroo katchelee, Tarn. 

 D.9 | 1/27-32. P.17. A.2/7. L.r.55/52/45-50. L.tr.6/14. C.p.5. 



Length of head 4^ to 4|, height of body 4 to 4| in the total 

 length. Eyes diameter 3| to 3| in length of head, nearly 1 diam. 

 from end of snout, and 1 apart. Width of head from to f its 

 length. Snout rounded, overhanging the upper jaw, which is in 

 advance of the lower. Cleft of mouth almost horizontal. Pre- 

 opercle serrated, most coarsely GO at its angle and along its hori- 

 zontal limb; two opercular spines. Distance between eye and 

 upper edge of maxilla equals 1 diameter of orbit. Snout with three 

 open pores across its base : the free edge of the skin has one 

 central pore and one on either side dividing it into four lobes; 

 five rather small open pores on the lower jaw. Fins dorsal fin 

 having as a rule only 9 spines, the first of which is very short ; the 



cond and third from f to j the height of the body, and \ higher 



