176 
THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
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where the raised longitudinal keel of the occipital process commences. Nostrils large, approx! 
mating, and midway between orbit and snout. 
Tooth In intermaxillaries sharp, in a straight band of several rows, and which are rather 
smaller in the lower jaws. Those on vomer and palate form two patches on either end of the 
mesial line, the internal pair being small and level with the front 
portion of the large patches : the external largest portions are each 
evidently formed of two confluent patches, a long anterior one and 
a short posterior one behind the inner portion of the anterior patch : 
thus the vomero-palatine teeth may be considered to be three 
patches on either side more or less confluent with one another. 
Fins The dorsal fin commences opposite to the posterior third of the pectoral: ventral arises 
midway between the centre of the orbit and the base of the caudal: the anal arises nearer the end 
of the pectoral than it does to the base of the caudal. Dorsal spine very strong, granulated in 
front, serrated in its upper posterior half, it and the pectoral spine are of equal length, the latter 
also being granulated in front and serrated in its upper third, whilst posteriorly it is strongly 
denticulated : the length of these spines equals the distance from the posterior margin of the orbit 
to the end of the opercle. The dorsal rays are two thirds as high as the body. The caudal is 
lobed, the superior lobe being slightly the longest. 
Lateral line—First ascends, opposite the first dorsal spine it bends downwards, and above the 
ventral it becomes straight; at the base of the caudal it divides into two branches, the upper 
crossing over the base of three, the lower of four caudal rays : a second raised line passes from the 
commencement of the last, and downwards to the base of the anal fin. The lateral line consists 
of raised, long and 'wide parallel tubes decreasing in size posteriorly. 
Colours—Brownish silvery, slightly plumbaceous on the back. Head bronzed. Fins greyish 
with a yellowish tinge. 
Grows to a large size, and is eaten by the Natives. 
Habitat Red Sea, and Seas and estuaries of India and Burmah. 
