CLUPEOIDEjE. 



239 



middle, and have a nearly rhomboidal outline, with two processes at the base which are con- 

 cealed by the overlying scale. The median line of the back is marked by a row of rather 

 broader scales, having a semicircular or heart-shaped edge. From this line the rows of scales 

 descend obliquely down the sides in curves, resembling a reversed italic S.. A very narrow 

 depression of the upper edge of each scale, including the two processes mentioned above, is 

 the whole of its surface that is covered by the superior scale when in situ ; near the tail the 

 uncovered portion of a scale is a very acute rhomboid, but towards the head its outline is more 

 nearly rectangular, with one slightly convex edge. The surfaces of the scales covering the 

 forepart of the back are coarsely grooved in a radiated manner. The scales on the sides are 

 five lines long by three and a half wide, and a linear inch measured along the oblique rows 

 includes four of them ; but when measured along the lateral line, or in the axis of the back, it 

 extends to three and a quarter : there are sixty-five on the lateral line. The termination of 

 the scales on the caudal forms an oblique curved line like the letter^ which crosses the 

 direction of the rows at a right angle, the scales extending farthest back on the uppermost 

 part of the fin. The exterior rays of the caudal, and the first rays of the other fins, are armed 

 with a double row of tiled, tapering scales, ending in short spinous points which, being very 

 acute and brittle, are capable of producing dangerous wounds. All the rays of the fins are 

 likewise studded with minute bristles. Lateral line nearly straight, marked by a clear line 

 traversing the axis of each scale with a pore in the centre. 



Fins.— Br. 3—3 ; D. 7; P. 15; V. 6 ; A. 8 ; C. 13. 



The dorsal commences opposite to the two last rays of the anal, and is rather smaller than 

 that fin. The ventrals are attached exactly in the middle between the extremities of the bill 

 and caudal. The latter is rounded at the end, and its rays are twice or thrice divided down to 

 their middles. 



Colour of the head a light green ; of the fins yellowish with roundish black spots half an 

 inch in diameter. There are also some black spots on the posterior part of the body and tail. 

 The scales have the light, bluish, semitransparent hue of enamel. The mucus or epidermis, 

 which has dried on their margins, gives many of them the appearance of being serrated. 



Dimensions. 



Length from end of bill to tip of caudal 



„ „ end of scales on lateral line 



„ „ dorsal 



„ „ anus . 



„ „ ventrals . 



„ „ edge of gill-plate 



„ „ nape 



„ „ orbit . 



„ of intermaxillaries 



„ labials 



,, lower jaw 



„ pectorals 



,, ventrals . 



„ attachment of dorsal 



„ its longest rays 



Inches. 



. 28 



25 



. 21 



20 



. 13 



7 

 . 7 



5 

 . 



4 

 . 5 



2 

 . 2 



1 

 . 2 



Lines. 

 

 

 3 

 







6 

 2 

 

 3 



3 



Length of attachment of anal 



„ its longest rays 



„ caudal (middle rays) 



„ ditto upper rays from scales 



,, ditto lower rays 



Depth of body .... 



,, head at the nape 

 Width of middle of body . 



„ occiput .... 



„ head between surfaces of the oper 

 cula ...... 



„ between the orbits 



„ of bill at extremities of labials 



Inches 

 1 



2 

 3 

 1 



2 

 2 

 1 

 2 

 1 



1 

 1 

 



Lines. 



34 

 3* 

 

 9 



3 



4 



6 

 

 44 



