G8 
THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
Scomber kanagurta. 
Kanagurta, Russell , pi. 136. 
Scomber kanagurta, Guv. & Val. viii. p. 49 ; Gunther , Catal. ii. p. 360. 
I la, Mai. 
B. vi. D. 8-10. | J T | v. P.21. V.i A. 1. \ x \\y. C. 25. Vert. if. 
Length, ol head rather more than of pectoral 1, of caudal jt, of caudal lobes 4, of base of first 
dorsal y, of base ol second dorsal (exclusive of finlets) of base of anal (exclusive of finlets) jq of 
total length. Height of head ~, of body j, of first dorsal 1, of second dorsal of ventral of anal 
of total length. 
Eyes—Upper margin close to profile, diameter j length of head, with an adipose lid on either 
side extending across j of the diameter : 1 diameter from end of snout: 1 diameter apart. 
Lower jaw rather the longest, with a tubercle at the symphysis: gape of mouth wide : the 
maxilla extends almost to beneath the posterior margin of the orbit, it is concealed by a large ellip¬ 
tical preoibital which has a line of pores opening along its upper third. Preopercle large, its posterior 
margin oblique, its angle rounded and forming its widest part, its inferior margin horizontal and 
about half the length of the vertical, the lower margin with about fifteen shallow canals passing 
downwards. Opercle triangular, its base above, posterior border with an emargination as deep as 
it is high. Upper surface of the head with a central ridge that extends from opposite the anterior 
marg-iu of the orbit backwards to the occipital: several other smaller ones run parallel with, or 
towards it. Snout rather elevated. Nostrils midway between eye and snout. 
Teeth—Minute in the jaws, vomer and palate. 
Pius—Pectoral arises below and a short distance in advance of the emargination of the 
opercle : the first dorsal begins opposite middle of pectoral: ventral under first dorsal: the second 
dorsal commences midway between opercle and base of caudal: anal under fourth ray of second 
dorsal terminating* opposite the end of that fin. First dorsal triangular, its spines weak, and it 
can be received into a groove on the back: the second spine one quarter longer than the first, and 
very slightly longer than the third, posteriorly they rapidly decrease in height, interspinous mem¬ 
brane entire. The distance between the first and second dorsal fins equals half the base of the latter. 
First ray of second dorsal the longest, upper margin of fin rather concave : the finlets commence 
just posterior to second dorsal and anal fins and are opposite one another, they consist of a single 
stem with branched rays. Pectoral short, nearly triangular. Caudal deeply lobed, each lobe being 
pointed, and with two raised crests along either side of its base. 
Scales—Extend over body to between the orbits, also on the cheeks : they are smaller 
above than below the lateral line, and largest just beneath the pectoral fin : the first few 
rows below the lateral line run parallel to it, those under pectoral are irregularly concave: there 
are some minute scales over second dorsal and anal fins. 
Lateral line—First describes a veiy slight curve, and then proceeds direct to the centre of the 
caudal. 
Colours—Back greenish, sides and abdomen iridescent, a row of sixteen spots along the 
back, close to the base of the dorsal fin. Summit of head spotted : sides shot with bluish 
purple. Dorsal fins yellowish, tipped with black. Caudal bright yellow, stained with black 
at its extremity. Pectoral bright yellow. Ventral and anal finely dotted with black, which fades 
soon after death, when all the shot colours also disappear, and it becomes of a dull green with 
the abdomen of a lighter colour. 
