CHEOMIDES. 429 



lateral. Cleft of mouth small. Teeth in two rows (or even three) 

 in the jaws, compressed and lobate at their summits. Dorsal and 

 anal spines more numerous than the rays. Scales very slightly 

 ctenoid, of moderate size, and extended on to the bases of the 

 soft dorsal and anal fins. Lateral line interrupted or abruptly 

 ceasing. Air-bladder present, large and simple. Pyloric appen- 

 dages absent. 



Geographical Distribution. Peninsula of India as far north as 

 Orissa, and Ceylon. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



D. 21-22/8, A. 14-16/6-7. Transverse hands . 1. E. canarensis, p. 429. 

 D. 17-20/8-10, A. 12-15/8-9. From one to three 



dark blotches along the sides 2. E. maculatus, p. 429. 



D. 18-19/14-15, A. 12-13/12-11. Transverse 



bands 3. E. suratensis, p. 430. 



1306. (1.) Etroplus canarensis. 



Etroplus canarensis, Day, Fish. India, p. 414, pi. Ixxxix, fig. 5. 

 D. 21-22/8. A. 14-1 6/6-7. C. 16. L.I. 30-31. L.tr.5|/16. 



Length of head 3^ to 3|, height of body 2| to 2| in the total 

 length. Eyes diameter 3 to 3^ in length of head, 1 diam. from 

 end of snout and also apart. Fins dorsal spines increasing in 

 length to fifth, behind which they continue about equal. Soft 

 dorsal and anal pointed ; caudal emarginate. Lateral line after 

 about 15 to 25 scales either ceases or only continues as small open 

 holes. Colour yellowish buff, with about 8 vertical, blackish, slate- 

 coloured bands, each scale darkest at its base, and some having 

 a light central yellow spot. Dorsal and caudal dirty greenish ; 

 pectoral yellow, with a black base ; ventral and anal black. 



Hob. South Canara ; attaining at least 4| inches in length. 



1307. (2.) Etroplus maculatus. (Fig. 150.) 



Chsetodon maculatus, Block, Ich. t. 427, fig. 2. 



Etroplus maculatus, Day, Fish. India, p. 415, pi. Ixxxix, fig. 4 (see 



synon.). 



Pullattay, Mai. ; Rallia, Singhalese (Boake) ; Boorakas, Chella kassu, 

 and Shelkl, Tarn. 



D. 17-20/8-10. A. 12-15/8-9. L. 1.35. L.tr.6/19. Vert. 15/13. 

 Length of head 3 to 3|, height of body 2| to 2| in the total 

 length. Eyes diameter 3 in length of head, rather above 1 diara. 

 from end of snout, and 1 apart. Teeth trilobate, but not quite 

 touching one another. Fins caudal lunate. Colour yellowish, back 

 greenish ; about 17 horizontal lines of deep golden spots ; occasionally 

 there are a few along the dorsal fin, the back, and the abdomen, also on 



