208 TELEOSTEI. ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



the body form a kind of corselet. Lateral line unarmed, a longi- 

 tudinal keel along either side of the free portion of the tail. Air- 

 bladder absent. Pyloric appendages dendritical. 



Geographical Distribution. Temperate and tropical seas. 



979. (1.) Pelamys chiliensis. (Fig. 73.) 



Pelamys chiliensis, Cuv. $ Vol. H. N. Poiss. viii, p. 163 ; Day, Fish. 

 India, p. 253, pi. Ivi, fig. 1 (see synon.). 



D. 18 | 3/13+ viii. P. 24. V. 1/5. A. 3/12 + vi. C. 20. 

 Length of head 3|, caudal lobes 6, height of body 4f in the 

 length from snout to middle of posterior edge of caudal fin. Eyes 

 diameter 8^ in length of head, 2^ diam. from end of snout, and 

 2 apart. Snout pointed. Angle of preopercle rounded, its lower 

 border rather above \ the length of its vertical one. Teeth in a 

 single row in either jaw, with some rather large ones above the 

 symphysis of the lower. Fitis dorsal spines weak, second to 

 fourth subequal, about y 4 y height of body and very slightly higher 

 than the second dorsal fin, the anterior fin is continued nearly 

 close up to the second. Pectoral f length of head ; ventral f of 



Fig. 73. Pelamys ckiliensis. 



pectoral. Anal commences on the vertical below first dorsal 

 finlet and is similar to second dorsal fin. Scales forming a corse- 

 let ^ anteriorly in three portions, separated by two deep emargi- 

 nations; the corselet embraces the whole length of the first dorsal ; 

 the central portion is narrow and pointed, ending close to end of 

 pectoral ; the lower portion is small and just embraces the ventrals, 

 which have a small scale between them. Lateral line makes a 

 low curve to below commencement of second dorsal fin, where it 

 becomes straight. Colour upper half of the body with about 

 eight broad, straight, blue lines passing backwards and a little 

 upwards, silvery below the lateral line, where, however, there are 

 similar lines but very faint. 



Hob. Seas of India to Japan and beyond. 



