THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
157 
half the height of the second, the soft rays are prolonged. Caudal deeply lunated and the outer 
rays much prolonged. 
Scales—Greatest diameter from above downwards ; some of them are continued over the soft 
portions of the dorsal, anal, and the commencement of the caudal fins. 
Lateral line—At first passes along the third scale, on which it is continued for about eighteen, 
when it apparently ceases opposite the end of the dorsal fin, but is in reality continued on the 
sixth row, in the form of round glandular cavities, in the centre of each scale. 
Colours—Of a deep purplish black: the margins of some of the scales having a whitish 
shade. It is lightest on the abdomen. Pectoral fins not so deeply stained as the others. Eyes 
dark hazel. 
Only three specimens were observed at Cochin, and they were all captured in one net. Grows 
to about four inches in length. 
Habitat—Cochin on the Malabar Coast. 
Fam. LABRID2E, Cuvier. 
Labroidei cycloidei, Mull. 
Cyclolabridhs, Owen. 
Sub-Fam. JULIDINA, Giinther. 
Xiphochilus, Bleeker. 
Genus PLATYGLOSSUS, Klein, sp. 
IIalicii/eres, sp. Riippell. 
Julis, sp. Guv. & Val. 
Platyglossus, halicHjEres, macropiiaryngodon, Guntiieria, et hemitantoga, Bleeker. 
Chhsrojulis, Gill. 
Branchiostegals, five or six: pseudobranchise. Body oblong and compressed. Eyes lateral. Cleft 
of mouth small. Only one inferior pharyngeal bone without median suture. Teeth conical on jaws with 
a posterior canine. One dorsal fin, the spinous portion as well developed or more so than the soft: soft 
anal similar to soft dorsal. Ventral thoracic with one spine and five rays. Scales cycloid and of moderate 
size, none (or a very few) on the head. Lateral line continuous, forming a curve opposite end of dorsal 
fin. Air bladder present. Pyloric appendages none. 
Platyglossus nigrescens. 
Labrus nigrescens, Bloch Schn. p. 263. 
Sahnee moia, Bussell , pi. 120. 
Julis Dussumieri, Guv. & Val. xiii. p. 476, pi. 387 ; Cantor , Catal. p. 236. 
Helich^eres nigrescens, Bleeker , Atlas Ictliyologique cles Indes Orientales 
Neerlandaises, i. p. 118, t. 37, f. 4. 
Platyglossus Dussumieri, Gunther , Catal. iv. p. 143. 
Kullaray meen, Mai. 
B. vi. D. T % P. 15. V. 1. A. T \. C. 15. L. 1. 29. L. tr. T %. 
Length of head of pectoral of caudal jj, of base of dorsal of base of anal J of total 
length. Height of head T 2 T , of body f, of hard dorsal j T , of soft dorsal }, of ventral J, of total 
length. 
