SCOMBRIDJE. 209 



4. Genus CYBIUM, Cuv. 



Syn. Apodontis and Apoiectus, Bennett ; Lepidocybium and Acantho- 

 cybium, Gill. 



Branchiostegals seven ; pseudobranchiae. Body somewhat 

 elongate. Cleft of mouth deep. Teeth large and strong in the 

 jaws ; villiform on vomer, palatines, and tongue. Two dorsal fins, 

 the first with feeble spines, extending to the commencement of the 

 second, more rays in the second dorsal than spines in the first ; 

 seven or more finlets behind the second dorsal and anal fins. 

 Scales, when present, rudimentary. A slight keel on either side 

 of the tail. Air-bladder present. 



Species of this genus, known as seer-Jishes in India, when fresh 

 and of the proper size, are amongst the most delicate marine forms 

 for eating. If small, under a foot in length, they are dry, re- 

 sembling Tracliynotus and Chorinemus ; from 1^ to 2| feet in 

 length they are at their primest size, above this they become coarse. 



Geographical Distribution. Atlantic and Indian Oceans. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



Sides without spots or blotches 1. C. kuhlii, p. 209. 



A. 2/17. Sides with about 3 horizontal rows 



of elongate spots , 2. C. interruptum, p. 210. 



A. 3/17-19. Sides with about 3 horizontal 



rows of elongate spots 3. C. guttatwn, p. 210. 



Sides with undulating vertical spots and lines. 4. C. commersonii, p. 211. 

 A. 5/14. Sides with several rows of elongate 



spots 5. C. lineolatum, p. 212. 



980. (1.) Cybium kuhlii. 



Cybium kuhlii, Cuv. fy Vol. II. N. Poiss. viii, p. 178 ; Day, Fish. 

 India, p. 254, pi. Ivi, fig. 2 (see synon.). 



Nga-nyo-tha, Arracan. 

 D. 16 | 5-6/17-18 + viii. P. 29. V. 1/5. A. 4/18 + vii. C. 21. 



Length of head 5| to 6, of caudal fin 3| to 4, height of body 5 

 in the total length. Eyes diameter 5 in length of head, 1| 

 diam. from end of snout and also apart. Preopercle emarginate 

 along its vertical border, with the lower limb almost as long as the 

 hind one. Teetli conical and rather compressed, from 15 to 20 

 in either jaw, those in the lower much the larger ; vomerine patch 

 anteriorly rounded ; a baud along the palatines. Fins first 

 dorsal spines weak, second dorsal anteriorly | height of body below 

 it ; there are six unarticulated rays at its commencement hidden in 

 the skin ; the anal, which commences on a vertical line below its 

 middle, is similar to it but not so high. Pectoral as long as the 

 head behind the middle of the eye. Ventrals 1| diameters of eye 



TOL. II. 



