BLENNIIDJE. 327 



small, placed before the base of the pectoral fin. Teeth in maxilla 

 of subequal size, conical, and close together, with a lateral canine; 

 in the lower jaw mere curved ; palate edentulous. Ein-rays 

 unbranched, flexible ; the dorsal commences on the head. Ventral 

 consisting of three rays inserted anteriorly to the branchial 

 orifice. 



1151. (1.) Xiphasia setifer. (Fig. 107.) 



Xiphasia setifer, Swatnson, Cub. Cycl. Fishes fyc. ii, p. 259 ; -Dy, 

 Fish. India, p. 337, pi. Ixxiii, fig. 1, Suppl. p. 799 (see synon.). 



Tonkah-talawaree, Tel 



D. 128-129 (223 ?). P. 13. V. 3. A. 115-116. C. 12. 

 Length of head 16 in the total length. Eyes diameter 3| in 

 length of head, from | to % diam. apart, and 1 diam. from end 

 of snout. Upper profile of head rounded, and upper jaw slightly 

 the longer. Teeth the large lower canine is received into a groove 

 in the roof of the mouth. Fins the dorsal commences above or 

 slightly before the orbits, and extends posteriorly to root of the 

 caudal fin, to which it is not joined ; the anal begins beneath the 

 seventeenth dorsal ray, and similarly reaches the root of the caudal 



Fig. 107. Xiphasia setifer. 



fin. The rays of both fins are simple, unbranched, and higher 

 than the body. In Australian examples the caudal fin was distinct 

 with no elongate central ray, but this last was observed by Jerdon 

 at Madras. Colour alternate bands of dark and light ash ; the 

 fins opaline ; dorsal with a black and narrow white-edged margin, 

 widening anteriorly into blotches. 



Hab. Coromandel coast of India and New South Wales, possibly 

 Madagascar. This fish grows to at least 14 feet in length. 



