XIPHIIDJE. 181 



lying sunning itself on the surface when undisturbed, its dorsal 

 fin fully expanded and acting as a sail (and when needed it can 

 propel itself at great speed), but it is only in the calmest weather 

 it can be thus seen. Jt is frequently caught in deep water with 

 hook and line, and when near the surface it is speared. I am 

 informed by the Hon. Mr. Ward, who has had considerable ex- 

 perience with this fish, that at times it is difficult and even dan- 

 gerous to capture ; as when hooked or speared it makes for the 

 boat and gives plenty of sport, taking tremendous leaps into the 

 air, and if care is not taken it will leap into the boat, to the great 

 consternation of the fishermen." 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



Dorsal fin much higher than body and 



covered with brilliant blue spots." 1. H. gladius, p. 131. 



Dorsal fin much higher than body. Grey, 



dorsal blackish 2. II. immactdattts, p. 132. 



Dorsal fin not so high as body. Grey, dorsal 



and pectoral tipped with black 3. H. brevirostris, p. 132. 



886. (1.) Histiophorus gladius. 



Scomber gladius, Bloch, Ich. t. 345. 



Histiophorus gladius, Day, Fish. India, p. 198 (see synon.). 

 Tadmdsa, Marathi ; Myl-mcen, Tam. ' Peacock Fish. 7 



D. 40-50/7. P. 15. V. 1-2. A. 10/7. C. 17. Vert. 14/10. 



Length of entire head 4, height of body 7 to 8 in the total 

 length. A very abrupt ascent in upper profile of head. Snout 

 produced and longer than remainder of head. Fins dorsal fin 

 commences on the nape and is much higher than the body (some- 

 times twice. as high) in its first portion, but becomes lower poste- 

 riorly, and considerably raised above its middle in young specimens. 

 Pectoral equal to jr or \ of the total length. First anal commences 

 under last fourth of first dorsal ; second anal, smaller, is below the 

 second dorsal and similar to it. Scales dermal productions lan- 

 ceolate. Stomach elongate, intestines very short, not exceeding 

 the length of the fish. Air-bladder in the last third of the abdo- 

 minal cavity, consisting of two distinct lateral portions, each of 

 which is subdivided internally into numerous cavities. Ccecal 

 appendages absent (Ebrenberg found them innumerable). Colour 

 body bluish grey, becoming dull white underneath. Dorsal fin 

 of a bright Prussian-blue with darker spots ; other fins dusky. 



Hab. Tropical seas or their vicinity. I procured one 9 feet long 

 at Madras, February 15, 1867 ; its stomach contained a full-sized 

 Scomber microlepidotus, two large Hemiramphi, and numerous small 

 fish. Common in the cold season off Madras, arriving about 

 October and continuing until March. 



K 2 



