32 
PISCES THORACICI. SCOMBER. 
No. CXLIL 
Scomber pinnidis unitis sexdecem, supra injraque; cauda profunde bijida, Jalcata; corpore 
squamis orbiculatis ; radiis aliquot pinna dorsalis analisque longioribus,falcatis ; spina an- 
trorsum spectans ante pinnam dorsalem. 
The Scomber with sixteen pinnulae, above and below ; a deeply divided, falcate tail; the 
body covered with orbicular scales, some longer falcate rays in the dorsal and anal fin; 
a spine pointing forward in front of the dorsal fin. 
Called by the Natives Botla Parah. 
6 i z 1 
B. viii. D.~6. 23*. P. 18. V. 6. A.J. 22. C. 24. 
The body oblong-ovate, compressed, covered with small orbicular scales, imbricate, tenacious. 
The bead small, obtuse, compressed, without scales; the front declivous, carinate; the rostrum very obtuse; 
the mouth low, small, a little oblique; the lips simple. The lower jaw much shorter than the upper; in the 
fore part of each is a cluster of small teeth, which to the finger feels like a file, the rest of the teeth very minute, 
irregular. The tongue roundish, smooth; the palate tuberculate. 
The eyes middle, large, orbicular; nostrils double, close, oval, the posterior by much the largest. The 
opercula rounded without scales. The branchial membrane with eight rays. 
The trunk. The back and breast carinate; the lateral line nearly middle at its beginning, bends at first 
gently over the pectoral fin, and then runs straight to its termination. The anus middle. 
The fins. Before the dorsal there is a recumbent spine pointing forward as in No. CXXXVIII. The first 
dorsal consists of six spines in a groove, diverging when raised; the second dorsal like the second anal, is dis¬ 
tinguished by the extreme length of the first three ramous rays, forming a long falcate tail; the pinnulis in 
both alike; a two-spine fin before the anal; the caudal more falcate than in the last, and the upper lobe 
longest. 
The colour. The upper part of the head a dull leaden, the rest white. The back at first like the head, shades 
off to a light colour, with a tinge of yellow. The abdomen a yellowish white. Four large, dark leaden, oval 
spots, above the lateral line. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins yellowish, but the interior falcate edges blackish. 
The pectoral yellow; the ventral light coloured. 
Length , one foot seven inches. 
