KURTUS. KURTUS. 



Generic Character. 



Corpus latum, utrin que cari- 

 naturn, dorso elevato. 



Membrana branchiostega ra- 

 diis duobus. 



Body broad, carinated both 

 above <ind below ; with* 

 greatly elevated back. 



Gill-Membrane two-rayed. 



INDIAN KURTUS. 



Kurtus Indicus. K. argenteus, dorso aureo. 

 Silvery Kurtus, with gold-coloured back. 

 Kurtus Indicus. Block, pi. 169. 



JL HE genus Kurtus, instituted by Dr. Bloch, 

 consists at present of a single species only. This 

 is a native of the Indian seas, and is supposed to 

 feed on shell-fish, small cancri, and other sea 

 insects, the remains of which were observed in 

 the stomach of the specimen examined by Dr. 

 Bloch. The length of this fish was about ten 

 inches, including the tail, and its greatest breadth 

 something more than four inches: its shape is 

 deep or broad, the sides being much compressed, 

 and the back rising very high in the middle : the 

 gill-covers consist of a large single membrane on 

 each side : the eyes are large, with silver i rides : 

 the mouth is of moderate width, and curves down- 

 wards: the teeth are small and numerous, stand- 



