127 



transversely elongated on the head, ctenoid and vertically elongated 

 on the body ; a few very tine ones over bases of soft dorsal and 

 anal fins. Lateral line gently curves to below first fourth of 

 second dorsal, where jt bacomes straight. Colour brownish, 

 becoming golden below ; fins darkest externally. 



Hab. Bombay, where it is common in Ojtobjr, attaining at least 

 18 inches in length. 



4. Genus OTOLITHUS, Cuv. 



Syn. Cynoscion, Anomiolepis, Apseudobranchus, Archoscion, fm\Atrac- 

 toscion, Gill. 



Pseudobranchiae present. Body oblong. Eyes of moderate size. 

 Snout a little pointed, the lower jaw the longer. Preopercle 

 crenulated, serrated, or denticulated. No barbels. Villiform 

 teeth in both jaws, with the outer row in premaxillaries enlarged ; 

 well-developed conical canines in both jaws or merely in the upper, 

 they are usually received, when the mouth is closed, into fossae in 

 the opposite jaw. A single row of widely separated conical teath 

 in the lower jaw, \vith occasionally a single outer villiform row. 

 Two dorsal fins united at their bases, the first with 9 or 10 weak 

 spines ; anal with one or two small ones, and few rays. Scales 

 ctenoid or cycloid, of moderate or small size. Air-bladder present, 

 mostly with lateral appendages. Pyloric appendages few. 



Geographical Distribution. Most tropical seas : some are said to 

 be found in fresh water ; in India they are rarely, if ever, taken 

 above tidal reach. 



Uses. Employed as food; the air-vessels collected for isinglass. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



A. 2/10-11, L. tr. 14/20. Body spotted 1. O. maculatus, p. 127. 



A. 1-2/7, L. tr. 7/17. Brownish red shot with 



silver 2. 0. ruler, p. 128. 



A. 2/7, L. tr. 7-8/21. Silvery, dark longitu- 

 dinal bands 3. O. argenteus, p. 129. 



883. (1.) Otolithus maculatus. (Fig. 51.) 



Otolitlius maculatus (KM fy v. Hass.~), Cuv. 8f Vol. H. N. Poiss. \, 



p. 64 ; Day, Fish. India, p. 196, pi. xlvi, fig. 4 (see synon.). 

 Birralli, Ooriah. 



D. 9-10 | 1/30. P. 18. A. 2/10-11. C. 17. L.r. 95/85. L.tr. 14/26. 

 Length of head 3| to 4|, height of body 5 to 6 in the total 

 length. Eyes diameter 6 to 7 in length of head, 1| diam. from 

 end of snout, and 1| apart. Greatest width of head equals -f to 

 its length. Edge of preopercle crenulated rather than denticu- 

 lated (spiny in the young) ; opercle with two weak points. Skin 

 of snout with three small open orifices along its free border, but no 

 lateral lobe. No open pores visible below lower jaw. Shoulder- 



