THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
153 
snout which is elevated at its extremity. Some elevated, radiating lines commence from a short 
distance in front of the anterior margin of the orbit, and coalesce with those from the opposite 
side at the anterior fifth of the snout. Behind the orbits are irregular radiating lines coalescing 
on the summit of the head with those from the opposite side. Opercle also with radiating raised 
lines, and above it a longitudinal serrated ridge. An elevated, sharp, bony, lateral ridge extends 
from the dorsal to the side of the caudal, it is most indistinct anteriorly. 
Teeth—Villiform, unequal, small in jaws, also on palatines, and from four to six on the vomer. 
Fins—Pectoral rounded, it arises just behind opercle. Dorsal in posterior fourth of the 
distance from the orbit to the base of the caudal, its sixth ray the longest, its upper margin 
concave. Anal opposite the dorsal and of the same shape. Caudal lobed, with its two central 
rays prolonged into long filiform processes. 
Lateral line—Commences above opercle, it consists of a number of linear tubes, deeply cleft 
at both ends, which behind the dorsal fin change to short, bony, spine-like ridges, as already 
described. 
Colours—Reddish brown above, becoming greyish on the sides, and white on the abdomen. 
Numerous fine black points exist along the back. A silvery white band borders the lateral line. 
Fins transparent, caudal filament brownish olive. Iris golden round the pupil. Dr. Riippell 
observed a lateral series of blue spots in some of his specimens. 
Grows to two feet in length. 
Habitat—Seas of India. From the Coast of Mosambique to the Seas of China, and New 
Holland. , 
Fam. MASTACEMBELIDiE, Gimther. 
ScOMBEROIDEI, pt. Cuvier. 
Notacanthi, pt. Milll. 
Rhynchobdelloidei, Bleeker. 
Genus MASTACEMBELUS, Guv. & Val 
Branchiostegals, six : pseudobranchise. Body elongated, eel-shaped. Eyes lateral. Head elongated, 
the upper jaw terminating in a soft, moveable, fleshy appendage which is not transversely striated inferiorly. 
Cleft of mouth narrow. Preopercle generally with spinous teeth at its angle. Dorsal fin long, the 
anterior portion composed of free spines. Noventrals. Anal generally with three spines. Dorsal, caudal, 
and anal continuous. Teeth minute. Scales small. Air bladder present. Pyloric appendages two. 
Mastacemblus AEMATUS. 
Maceognathus aematus, Lacep. ii. p. 286 ; Ham. Buck. pp. 28, 364, pi. 37, f. 6. 
Mastacemblus aematus, Guv. & Val. viii. p. 456, pi. 240; Sykes , Trans. Zool. »3oc. ii. 
p. 350, pi. 60, f. 2 ; Gunther , Catal. iii. p. 542. 
Mastacemblus Ponticeeianus, Guv. & Val. viii. p. 460. 
Mastacemblus maemoeatus, Guv. & Val. viii. p. 461 ; Jerdon , Madras Journ. xv. p. 147. 
Maceognathus undulatus et Hamiltonii, McGlelland , Cal. J. N. H. iv. pp. 393, 398, 
pi. 22, f. 1. 
B. vi. D. 35-39 | 74-87. P.23. A. 3 | 79-87. C. 15. Gee. pylor. 2. Vert.ff. 
x 
