177 



B. viii. D. 7 | 1/19-20. P. 20. A. 2 J 1/17-18. 0. 19. 

 Length of head 5|, of pectoral 8 to 8|, of caudal 4| to 5, height 

 of body 3| to 3| in the -total length. Eyes diameter 4| in length 

 of head, 1 diam. from end of snout and also apart. Body elliptical, 

 compressed; upper jaw only uncovered in the last third of its extent. 

 Preorbital narrow, but covering the first f of the maxilla ; pre- 

 opercle narrow, having its angle rounded and produced. Central 

 crest of skull distinct. Teeth comparatively large, in a single row 

 in the upper jaw and in two in the lower, the outer of the latter 

 directed somewhat outwards ; there are two canine-like teeth on 

 either side of symphysis of lower jaw ; a triangular patch on the 

 vomer; an elongate pyriform band, largest anteriorly, on the 

 palatines, and on the tongue. Fins the anterior portion of the 

 soft dorsal elevated, similar to the anal, and | height of body ; the 

 posterior 8 or 10 rays of either fin semi-detached, and the last 

 rather elongate. Caudal deeply forked. Scales small but distinct, 

 and lanceolate in their exposed portion. Lateral line has a very 

 slightly raised angle in the first part of its course, but its general 

 direction is straight. Colour greenish tinge along back shot with 

 blue, becoming dull silvery below lateral line. Six or eight mode- 

 rately sized, oval, and indistinct vertical spots or blotches on the 

 side, usually intersected by the lateral line. Vertical fins darkish. 



Hob. Seas of India ; said to attain 18 inches in length. 



7. Genus TRACHrNOTUS (Lace'p.), Cuv. & Val. 



Syn. Acanthinion and Ccesiomorus, Lacep. 



Cultalli, Tamil. 



Branchiostegals seven; pseudobranchiae absent. Body com- 

 pressed, more or less elevated, with the frontal region prominent. 

 Eyes lateral. Snout obtuse and swollen; cleft of mouth small. 

 Teeth on the jaws, vomer, and palatines, usually lost with age. 

 Two dorsal fins, the first composed of spines having a small connect- 

 ing membrane (receivable into a groove at their base), and a 

 horizontal spine, directed forwards, anterior to the fin ; rays of 

 second dorsal and of anal more numerous than the spines in the 

 first dorsal ; anterior portion of the second dorsal and anal pointed 

 and elongate ; two preanal spines separated by an interspace from 

 the remainder of the fin ; no finlets. Scales small. Lateral line 

 unarmed. An air-bladder bifurcated posteriorly. Pyloric appen- 

 dages varying in number. 



Geographical Distribution. Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans, 

 within the tropics. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



Height of body not exceeding 1 =| of total length. 



Ventrals very small ; small black spots on 1. 1. .. 1. T.baillonii,p.l7S. 



Ventrals moderate ; large dark blotches above 1.1. 2. T.russellu,p.l78. 

 Height of body much exceeding \ of total length ; no 



spots or blotches ' 3. T. ovatus, p. 179. 



VOL. II. N 



