274 TELEOSTEI. ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



as far as the eyes ; those anterior to the dorsal fin and anal smaller 

 than the others, and more or less cycloid. None on opercles or 

 cheeks. Colour reddish brown, with about six vertical darker 



Fig. 92. Sicyditim fusciattim. 



bands on body wider than ground-colour ; there are also some dark 

 spots ; the under surface is dirty yellowish brown. Tins nearly 

 black, with a light, nearly white, edge. 



Hal. Burma, growing to 2| inches in length. 



4. Genus APOCRYPTES, Cuv. & Val. 



Bran chiostegals four; pseudobranchise rudimentary ; gill-openings 

 of moderate width. Body elongate. Teeth conical in a single 

 fixed row in either jaw, with usually a pair of canines in the lower, 

 and above the symphysis, posterior to the fixed row; sometimes 

 canines in the upper jaw. The first portion of the dorsal fin 

 contains five or six flexible spines. Ventrals united, forming a 

 disk, and only attached by their bases. Scales, when present, 

 small, becoming larger posteriorly. 



Geographical Distribution. Coasts of India, Burma, Andamans, 

 and the Malay Archipelago. The species ascend estuaries and 

 rivers, sometimes even above tidal influence. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



A. Less elongate, height 7 to 9 times in total 



length. 



a. The two dorsals not united. 



a'. Scales towards tail regular. Six rows 



between posterior terminations of 



dorsal and anal 1. A. serperaster, p. 275. 



6'. Scales small and irregular throughout. 



D. 5 | 31-32. A. 29-30 5 A. lanceolatus, p. 277. 



D. 6 | 21-22. A. 33 7. A. bato, p. 278. 



b. The two dorsals united at the base 3. A. bleekeri. p. 276. 



B. More elongate, height 11 to 14 in total 



length, 

 a. Dorsals not united 4. A. batoicles, p. 277. 



