74 
THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
El AC ATE NIGRA. 
Scomber Niger, Bloch , t. 337. 
Pedda-mottait, Bussell , pi. 153. 
Elacate Pondiceriana, Guv. & Veil. viii. p. 329; E. motta, ibid. p. 332; E. Mala- 
barica, ibid. p. 332 ; E. Atlantica, ibid. p. 334 ; E. bivittata, ibid. p. 338 ; 
Cantor , Catal. p. 116. 
Elacate nigra, Gimther , Catal. ii. p. 375. 
B.vii. D.8 1^, P.21. V.i. A. 25 2 _2 8- C. 17. Vert. if. 
Length of head 1, of pectoral i, of caudal x 3 ^, of base of first dorsal of base of second 
dorsal |, of base of anal f of total length. Height of head of body V of hard dorsal d 7 , of 
soft dorsal J, of ventral y 1 ^ of total length. 
Eyes—Close to line of profile, transversely oval, and each surrounded by a large circular adipose 
membrane : horizontal diameter vertical diameter Jr of length of head, 1-f diameters from end 
of snout, nearly 2 diameters apart. 
Mouth wide, maxilla extending to beneath the anterior margin of the orbit: mandibuke 
flat beneath : a slight tubercle at symphysis. Preorbital small, narrow, and rugose. Preopercle 
with its inferior and posterior borders of equal length, and meeting at right angles, its surface 
rather roughened. Opercle also with rough lines which commence from its anterior superior angle, 
proceed downwards and backwards, and expand into a fan-shaped form. Upper surface of head 
flat and lineated from two points, both of which are behind the eye, separated from one 
another by a slight interval, but still not far from the central line of the head; from these two 
points fine raised lines radiate, joining behind at the occipital crest, and in front opposite the 
anterior margin of the orbit, thus enclosing a lozenge-shaped space. Nostrils have two orifices 
approximating, and in the first third of the distance between the eye and the end of the snout; 
gills open as far forwards as commissures of lips. Coracoid bone rough and well developed. 
Teeth—In numerous villiform bands in both jaws, on a large oval space on vomer, and 
in a long band on each palatine. There also exists an oval patch on the tongue which is wide : 
skin of palate and side of tongue rough. Pharyngeal teeth villiform. 
Fins—The commencement of the free dorsal spines in a line with the bases of the pectoral 
and ventral. The anal begins under about the twelfth dorsal ray. The dorsal spines are short 
and sharp with a very small membrane to each, they can be laid flat and extend as far as the base 
of the soft dorsal. The soft portion of the dorsal commences opposite the posterior margin of the 
pectoral, its anterior portion is the highest, and its upper margin is thus a little concave, whilst in 
the last three-fourths of its course it follows the curve of the back, the last rays which are a little 
prolonged do not extend quite as far as the base of the caudal. The anal is of the same form as 
the dorsal, and they terminate opposite each other, leaving about one eighth of the posterior 
extremity of the body finless. The pectoral is situated low down and is rather large and pointed. 
The ventrals are small and pointed, the spine fine and the external ray the longest. The caudal 
emarginate, with the lower lobe the shortest. 
Scales—Minute, extending over the body, each side of occiput, opercles, cheeks, and base of 
caudal, also a few fine ones over the soft dorsal and anal. 
Lateral line—With slight undulations, curved slightly downwards until opposite the com¬ 
mencement of the anal from whence it is continued to centre of caudal and on to its termination. 
