THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
67 
arched, half-barbed tooth. The rest of the space is occupied by some distant lancet shaped teeth, 
of which those in the middle are the largest. On each side of the symphysis of the lower jaw 
appears an arched tooth, like the corresponding one in the lower jaw, but shorter. Behind the tooth 
is a vacant space, followed by upwards of twelve lancet shaped teeth, which with the exception 
of one or two half barbed in the middle, are smaller than the corresponding ones in the upper jaw. 
Along the margin of each palatine bone is a series of velvety teeth. Tongue smooth. 
Fins—The anterior dorsal ray is one-fourth of length of head. 
Colours—Upper surface of head, back, and naked point of tail bluish black, light silvery on 
the jaws, sides of head, and body : abdomen of a brilliant silver. Dorsal rays and membrane pale 
reddish yellow, the whole of the latter to the twelfth ray, and from thence only its upper half 
minutely dotted with black. Anterior third of pectorals pale reddish yellow, the rest blackish. Iris 
silvery blue, blackish towards the orbit. The young are lighter in colour. 
Grows to two feet eight inches in length, is eaten fresh or salted. It is of voracious habits, 
devouring its own kind as well as other fishes and Crustacea. 
Habitat—Seas and estuaries of India, Malaysia and China. 
* Trichiurus say ala. 
Teiciiiurus sayala, Cuv. & Val. viii. p. 251 ; Cantor^ CataL p. 115; Gunther , Catal. ii. 
p. 347. 
Trichiurus aematus, Gray , Ill. I. Z. pi. 93, f. 1. 
B. vii. D. 112-120. P. 11. 
Length of head to of the length of body. Height of body y 1 ^ to ^ of total length. 
Eyes—Diameter jj to of length of head, 3-| diameters in length of snout, 1 diameter apart. 
Interorbital space flat. 
Teeth—The lancet shaped teeth of the jaws are proportionably smaller than in the T. haumela, 
which species it much resembles. 
Colours —Upper surface of head, back, and naked point of the tail bluish, all the other parts 
of a shining silver. Dorsal and pectoral rays yellowish white, their membranes diaphanous. 
Iris silvery, bluish towards the orbit. 
Grows to one foot four inches in length, and is eaten both fresh and salted by the Natives. Is 
captured most abundantly in April and May. 
Habitat—Seas and estuaries of India, Malaysia, and China. 
Fam. SCOMBRIDiE. 
Genus SCOMBER, Artedi. 
Branchiostegals, seven: pseudobranchise. Body rather elongate and compressed. Eyes lateral. 
Cleft of mouth wide. Infraorbital bones do not articulate with the preopercle. Two dorsals, the first 
spinous and separated by an interspace from the second, behind which and also behind the anal are five or 
six finlets : the spinous dorsal is less developed than the soft dorsal, or than the anal: ventrals thoracic ; 
two slight ridges on either side of root of caudal; gill openings wide. Teeth small on jaws, vomer, and 
palatine bones. Scales small. Air bladder simple, but absent in some species. Pyloric appendages very 
K 2 
numerous. 
