222 TELEOSXEI. ACANTHOPTEBYGII. 



D. 5/21. P. 15. V. 1/5. A. 17-18. C. 15. L. 1. 44. L. tr. 2|/9. 



Length of head 4, of caudal fin 5|, height of body 5^ in the 

 total length. Eyes diameter 3| in length of head, 1 diam. from 

 end of snout, and | apart. The greatest depth of the preorbital 

 equals one third diameter of eye. All the opercles entire ; a 

 well-marked spine on the opercle and another on the suboperele, 

 no shoulder-spine. Teeth two enlarged ones on either side, above 

 the symphysis of the lower jaw ; fine ones on the vomer. Fins 

 second dorsal spine longest, equalling three fourths diameter of eye. 

 Ventral one fourth longer than head, reaching base of seventh anal 

 ray. Caudal slightly rounded. Colour reddish brown, with five 

 wide and dark vertical bands, extending from the back to the lower 

 surface, these bands being darkest at their edges and disappearing 

 about the middle of the body, where there are also some dark spots. 

 A brown ocellus at upper part of base of caudal fin, which has 

 some brown spots on it. Numerous brown spots on snout and 

 upper surface of head and cheeks, some on upper edge of eye, 

 where there are two dark narrow bands. Ventrals white. First 

 dorsal fin nearly black between the spines ; soft dorsal and anal 

 with fine dots between the rays. 



Hub. Andamans. Two small specimens received. 



2. Genus SILLAGO, Cuv. 



Syn. Sillayinodes and Sillaginopsis, Gill. 



Branchiostegals six ; pseudobranchiae. Body elongate, somewhat 

 cylindrical. Head conical, with its muciferous system well developed. 

 Gill-openings wide, eyes lateral or directed slightly upwards. Cleft 

 of mouth short ; the upper jaw the longer. Villiform teeth in 

 the jaws with the outer row rather conical ; also present on 

 vomer, none on the palatines. Two dorsal fins, the first with 

 nine to twelve spines ; soft dorsal similar to anal ; ventrals tho- 

 racic, with one spine and five rays ; lower pectoral rays branched. 

 Scales ctenoid. Lateral line not continued on to the caudal fin. 

 Air-bladder simple. Pyloric appendages few. 



These fishes have much the appearance of Scicena and were placed 

 in that genus by Bloch ; they are esteemed light and wholesome 

 food ; as they ascend rivers and tidal estuaries, they may be captured 

 almost throughout the year. 



Geographical Distribution. Bed Sea, seas of India to the Malay 

 Archipelago and Australia. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



A. Second dorsal spine very elongate, eye 3 to 4 



diam. from end of snout 1. & paniius, p. 223. 



B. Second dorsal spine not exceeding height of 



body. 



Second and third dorsal spines longest 2. & sihama, p. 224. 



Ihird, fourth, and fifth dorsal spines longest. 3. S. maculata, p. 224. 



