THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
55 
ones winch are rather wide apart. In the lower jaw the teeth are villiform, largest opposite the 
symphysis, those of the anterior row are directed obliquely outwards, the teeth of the posterior 
series are rather larger than the others. 
Fins—First dorsal slightly in advance of the pectoral: and the ventral opposite its first 
quarter: the anal arises under the fourteenth dorsal ray. The third and fourth spines of first 
dorsal the longest, the membrane deeply emarginate. The second anal spine five-sevenths of the 
length of the first ray, and rather longer than the base of the fin, it equals the distance from the 
posterior margin of the orbit, to the posterior extremity of the opercle. First ventral ray with a 
filamentous prolongation. Caudal wedge-shaped. The shape of the fins much the same as in the 
Scicena Dussumieri, but rather more pointed. 
Scales and lateral fine, as in the Scicena Dussumieri. 
Air bladder large, thick, lanceolate, with ten branching processes. 
Colours—Rather similar to the Sc. Dussumieri, but darker. The body is dotted with fine brown 
spots, and all the fins with closely placed, minute, black points causing the first dorsal, the lower 
half of the anal, and the posterior portion of the caudal to be almost black. A spot of brilliant 
gold colour exists on the preopercle. Iris silvery, upper half bluish black. 
Grows to seven inches in length. Isinglass from this species is reputed to be good. 
Habitat—Seas of Malabar, and Malaysia. 
* CORVINA LOBATA. 
Coryina lobata, Cuv. & Val. v. p. 122, pi. 107; Gunther , Catal. p. 304. 
B. vii. D. 9-10 | 2 8-3T* A.f . Caec. pylor. 8. 
Length of head •§ of total length. Height of head § of total length. 
Snout convex, upper jaw overhanging the lower, cleft of mouth nearly horizontal. Preopercle 
appears entire. 
Fins—Second anal spine strong and two-fifths of length of head : first ventral ray prolonged 
into a filament : caudal rhomboidal. 
Air vessel bulges out and appears as if it were constricted into two at its anterior part. 
Colours—Silvery, with five large rather obscure cross bands, passing downwards to slightly 
below the lateral line. Fins yellowish. The anterior portion of the first dorsal, the external 
margins of the second, of the caudal, anal, and ventral are blackish. 
Grows to five inches in length. 
Habitat—Malabar. 
CORVINA NEILLI.* 
B. vii. D. 9 I JL p.17. y. 1 a. ?-. C. 17. L. r. 58. L. tr. 24. 
Length of head of pectoral nearly y, of caudal ys, of base of first dorsal ys, of base of 
second dorsal of base of anal of total length. Height of head of body of first dorsal ty, 
of second dorsal T y, of ventral ], of anal y of total length. 
* I have named this species after A. C. B. Neill, Esq ., Retired list, Medical Department, Madras 
Army, from whom I have received most valuable assistance during the progress of this work through the 
press. 
