140 On the Fresh Water [No. S4, 



myself ; so that future inquirers can at once ascertain if a fish they 

 meet with be a known one, or a nondescript. 



Ord. Acanthopterigii, 



Fam. Pekcid^ — Perches. 



Mouth large. No scales on the fins. Operculum usually spined, 

 and pre-opercule serrate. Teeth in the jaws, and vomer and palate ; 

 scales usually large. 



Genus. Amhassis — Cuv. 

 Lower jaw long. Pre-opercule doubly crenated. Dorsal fins al- 

 most distinct: a procumbent spine before first dorsal. Caudal fia 

 large forked. 



Amhassis Commersonii, C. V. 



Height rather more than a third of its total length D 7 — \, A 

 3 — 1. greenish above, silvery beneath, with pink and yellowish reflec- 

 tions. Length about 6 inches. This fish though found in estuaries 

 and the mouths of all our rivers, is hardly a genuine fresh water fish. 



A. Malabartcus. C. V. 

 Height not a third of its length. Fin rays, D 7 — A, A — &c. 5 

 inches long. 



I have found this amhassis in rivers of Canara and Malabar, above 

 the influence of the tides, and in company with many true fresh water 

 carp : so that its claim for a place in our catalogue is well founded. 



It enters small streams, ditches, &;c. for spawning; and I have 

 found the young in great abundance in February, swimming in large 

 shoals. 



A, JBaculis. Buch. P. G. p. 112? 



Length about twice and a quarter the height. Fin rays D. 7 — A 

 A. tV Silvery, diaphanous. 



I am by no means certain that this is Buchanan's fish, or Ouvier's 

 A. alta; to both of which it has some resemblance. A. haculis is 

 said to have D. 7 — and A. j?3 and A. alta D. 7 — t\ A. t*!:, and as 

 both are from Bengal it is possible that, on comparison, my species 

 may be distinct ; in which case I suggest the name of A. Carna- 

 ticus. 



It is found in most of the permanent tanks throughout the Carna- 

 tic, and does not exceed one and a half inch in length, in general. 



