1 26 TELEOSTEl. ACANTHOPTERTGIT. 



Second anal spine weak, half as long as the rays and ^ the length 

 of the head ; base of anal fin from T 2 T to | as long as that of soft 

 dorsal. Caudal wedge-shaped. Scales cycloid, except on the 

 body below the lateral line, where they are feebly ctenoid. Lateral 

 lineon a row of thin scales, becoming straight above the front 

 edge of the anal fin ; tubes well developed. Air-bladder with 25 

 lateral processes, and a single long projection on either side from 

 the anterior extremity reaching to the posterior end. Colour 

 light brownish above, tinged with gold on the abdomen, head 

 shot with purple. 



Hob. Seas and estuaries of India to the Malay Archipelago and 

 China. The longest specimen in the Calcutta Museum measures 

 42 inches. 



882. (4.) Scisenoides bitumens. (Fig. 50.) 



Otolithus hruimeus, Day, Jour. L. S. xi, 1873, p. 524. 



Scisenoides brunneus, Day, Fish. India, p. 195, pi. xlv, fig. 6 (see 

 synon.). 



D. 9 | 1/27-28. P. 18. A. 2/7. L. r. 130/102/130. L. tr. 21/34. 

 Length of head 4 to 4|, height of body 5| to 6 in the total 

 length. Eyes diameter 7 to 8 in length of head, 1| diatn. from 

 end of snout, and 2 apart. Width of head equals half its length. 

 Jaws about equal, or lower slightly shorter. Preopercle with a 

 few widely separated serrations, most apparent at its rounded 

 angle. Opercle with two obtuse points. No open glands on 

 snout; two badly marked pores on front of lower jaw below 

 symphysis. Shoulder-lobe fimbriated along its free edge. Teeth 

 a small curved canine on either side of middle of each jaw, otherwise 



Fig. 50. Sci&noides brunneus. 



as in the other species of the genus. Fins dorsal spines weak 

 and having filamentous terminations, 3rd to 6th of somewhat the 

 same length, longest, and about | height of body. Second dorsal 

 highest in last third, where it equals or exceeds spinous dorsal. 

 Pectoral as long as the head behind middle of eye ; ventral only- 

 reaches one third of distance to vent. Anal spines weak and 

 short, 1 of length of rays, length of base of fin T 2 T or -L of that of 

 soft dorsal. Caudal pointed. Scales rather oval, cycloid, and 



