370 TELEOSTEI. ACANTHOPTERYGII . 



long, filiform, the remainder being generally rudimentary. Scales 

 ctenoid, and of moderate size. Lateral line, when present, unin- 

 terrupted. Air-bladder present. Pyloric appendages two. 



Geographical Distribution. South-eastern Asia and Malay Archi- 

 pelago. One species has been introduced into India; and another 

 is found in Assam, N.E. Bengal, Sikkirn, and Nepal. 



Uses. Excellent as food. 



1211. (1.) Osph.rom.eims nobilis. (Fig. 122.) 



Ctenops nobilis, McClelland, Cal. Jour. Nat. Hist, v, p. 281, pi. 21, 



fiff.1. 

 Osphromenus nobilis, Day, Fish. India, p. 372, pi. Ixxviii, fig. 5 



(see synon.). 



D.5-6/7-8. P.12. A.5/23-25. C.16. L.l.28-31. L.tr.6/12, C.p.2. 

 Length of head 3| to 4, height of body 3 to 3| in the total 

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

 of snout and also apart. The posterior extremity of the inter- 

 maxillaries reaches to opposite the front edge of the eye, the 

 maxilla | of the same distance. Preorbital rather large and 



Fig. l22. 0spkromemts nobilis. 



coarsely serrated, also the lower edge of the preopercle. Fins 

 dorsal small, and situated in posterior third of body. Outer ventral 

 ray prolonged in some specimens. Anal commences close behind 

 end of ventral spine, and is continued almost to caudal, from which 

 it is separated by a notch. Scales ctenoid, extending over bases 

 Of vertical fins. Colour brown ; a silvery-white band, usually 

 interrupted, passes from eye to middle of tail ; a second similar 

 one from pectoral along side, and a third at base of anal. Some- 

 fames a black light-edged ocellus at upper part of base of caudal 



ffab -Rivers of N.E. Bengal and Assam, extending into those 

 t the hills, and attaining at least 4 inches in length. 



4. Genus TRICHOGASTER, Bl. Schn. 

 Syn. Colisa, Ouv. & Val. 

 Branchiostegals five; branchial arches with toothed tubercles. 



