1851.] 



Icthyological Gleanings in Madras. 



131 



Besides these three species of Therapon all of small size and no 

 value, there is I believe a fourth which is known as Munja Kichan. 

 T. This is very common on the Malabar Coast ascending rivers and 

 backwaters and rises readily to the fly. D. 9, 1, 10. A. 3-8. 



Priacanthus. I possess drawings of apparently two species of this 

 genus. The one is entirely of a fine red colour and was named 

 Pasuwa. T. The other is reddish above, white on the sides and 

 the ventral fin, spotted with dusky. D. 10, 11. A. 3, 11 ; it was 

 named Kewai. T. Myripristis botche, C. V. Moonda kun kakasi. 

 T. Russell 105. 



Holocentrum orientale. Sem pooram. T. This and the last are 

 occasionally taken in the large nets at Madras. 



Cirrhites fasciatus. G. V. I only once procured a single spe- 

 cimen of this curious fish at Madras. Its colours were reddish on 

 the back and sides with lighter longitudinal lines. 2nd dorsal 

 streaked with brown : caudal white spotted with red, and the first 

 soft ray of the dorsal prolonged to a filament. The Natives had no 

 name for it. 



Sillago acuta, C. V. Kilingan or Kigingan. T. Russ, 113. This 

 fish is known at Madras as the Whiting, and is deservedly reckon- 

 ed one of the most delicate flavoured fish for the breakfast table. 



I never saw a specimen of Sillago domina at Madras, and the fish- 

 ermen to whom I showed the drawing said they did not know it. 

 Pondicherry is only 80 miles from Madras and I doubt therefore 

 if it was sent from thence ; most probably it is more from the 

 mouths of the Ganges. 



Otolithus versicolor. C. V. Panna T. Russ. 109. Very common 

 at Madras one foot long. Another species of Otolithus, perhaps O. 

 biauritus, Cantor, is found on the Malabar Coast and highly prized 

 for the isinglass it yields. It is named Silie Kora, Mai. Grows to a 

 large size. 



Otolithus ruber. C V. Also yields good isinglass. 



Corvina catalea. C. V. Kattale. T. Russ. 115 and 116. Com- 

 mon, grows to a large size. 



Corvina miles. C. V. Velle katale. T. Russ. 117. Common, 

 up to two feet long. 



