136 TELEOSTEI. ACANTHOPTEEYGII. 



in the upper jaw, whilst in front are two or three pairs of large, 

 curved, and barbed fangs ; there are two similar and rather smaller 

 ones above the symphysis of the lower jaw, and these are anterior 

 to the snout when the mouth is closed ; laterally there are about 

 similar to those in the upper jaw, but smaller. Fins the dorsal 

 fin commences over the hind edge of the preopercle ; the first rays 

 are short, being about equal to 1 diameter of the orbit, the longest- 

 rays are about equal to the height of the body. Pectoral T 4 T of 

 length of head. No rudiment of ventral fins. Anal in the form 

 of about 76 to 82 free spines, which may be concealed in the skin 

 but are generally distinct, especially the first, which is twice as 

 long as in T. hnumela. Lateral line passes downwards to the 

 lower third of the side. Colour silvery, fins yellowish white. 



Hal. Seas and estuaries of India, the Malay Archipelago, and 

 China ; attaining at least 16 inches in length. 



Family XVI. ACANTHURIDyE. 



Acantkurincc, pt., Swains. ; Acanthuroidei, Bleeker ; Acronuridce, 

 Guntlier. 



Branchiostegals from four to seven; pseudobranchi. Bodv 

 oblong or elevated and compressed. Eyes of moderate size and 

 lateral. Cleft of mouth very slight. Teeth in both jaws in a 

 single compressed row, often lobate or serrated, tapering incisors 

 sometimes present. Palate edentulous. A single dorsal fin with 

 fewer spines than rays ; anal with two or three spines ; ventrals 

 thoracic. . Scales minute. Lateral line complete and continuous. 

 The side of the free portion of the tail usually armed with one or 

 inore bony plates or spines; these are small or absent in the 

 immature, developing with age. Air-bladder present, forked 

 posteriorly. Pyloric appendages few. 



Geographical Distribution. Tropical seas. 



Synopsis of Indian Genera. 



An erectile spine on either side of free portion of tail : 

 ' " SUally U ? 8 P ine and five rft y s 



._ - v luj c Bj p 1IMJ ana nve ray8 1 ACANTHURUS. 



One to three non- erectile spines on either side of free 

 portion of tail ; ventral with one spine and three 



rays 2. NASETTS. 



1. Genus ACANTHURUS (Forsk.), Bl. 



', Comm. ; Ifarpums, Forster ; Acronurus, Cuv. 



Eohli-meen, Tarn. 



andSLT^f H fi ?V P 86 ?^^^^ well developed. Body 

 head elevated and strongly compressed. Eyes high up. Teeth 



