113 



On the Fresh Water 



[No. 34, 



My specimens are only about 4 inches long, but I am told that it 

 grows considerably larger. I was much puzzled with this fish on 

 first procuring it, and am even now undecided if I am right in placing 

 it in a new genus. It is allied to Dules^ Centrarchus, Pomotis, and 

 Cychla^ but appears to diff'er from all. From Dules it differs in its 

 general habit, interrupted lateral line, shape of caudal fin, Sec, from 

 Centrarclius in its serrated pre-opercule ; from Cychla which is said to 

 have an interrupted lateral line, in its spined operculum, and from 

 Pomotis in wanting the prolongation of the opercule, and its inter- 

 rupted lateral line — Centrarclius^ Pomotis and Cyclila however, are 

 all American fish. Three or four species of Dules are described from 

 Java, and other Eastern Islands, but none from the continent of India. 

 I have procured specimens both from the river of Manantoddy, flow- 

 ing into the Cauvery ; in the Cotiaddy river in north Malabar, and 

 in the stream that runs near Canote in the same district, where I saw 

 it in the rapid streams. 



Fam. Scicenidcs. 



Fins partially scaled at their base ; operculum armed ; pre-opercule 

 serrated ; no teeth on the vomer or palate. 



Gen. Eiroplus. Cuv. 

 Body oval; teeth strong, notched in the middle; mouth small; 

 anal fin long; caudal, square or lunate. 



Etropliis maculatus. C. V. 



D. tIA. if, of a dusky green colour with vertical dark bands — ven- 

 tral and anal fins inky black ; a black band at base of tail. 



This fish is very common in tanks in the Carnatic, when it is 

 called Senel kas^ or Nelle tanni Sipeli^ i. e. fresh water Sipeli, which 

 is the name of the Scatophagus argus. It is said by the natives to 

 be good eating, but from its small size — not exceeding 3 inches — it 

 is not sought after. I know nothing of its habits. Its Telinga name 

 is Cashi-mara. Cuvier and Valenciennes appear not to have seen 

 this fish, which was however sent to Bloch from Tranquebar, and 

 Schneider describes it accurately. 



Etroplus corucM. C. V. 

 Height half its length ; muzzle concave, prominent; teeth distinct- 

 ly 3 pointed. Fin rays Ifr or fa A. \^ Color green above, yel- 

 lowish beneath ; scales of body and dorsal fin, ornamented with 

 longitudinal rows of orange dots. Pectoral fin greenish; ventral 



