188 
THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
maxillary to the middle or end of anal : and the external mandibular which arises just under the 
angle of the mouth extends to the middle of the pectoral, whilst the internal pair arise near 
together under symphysis and do not reach quite so far posteriorly as the external ones. 
Teeth—Villiform in both jaws in several rows : those on vomer and palate also villiform and 
AN disposed in a single uninterrupted crescentic band. 
Fins.—Pectoral arises under the extremity of the opercle and in the lower fourth of the body : 
the dorsal is situated over the posterior third of the pectoral spine : the anal midway between the 
base of the ventral and base of the caudal : the adipose dorsal commences a short distance anterior 
to the anal. Pectoral spine strong, curved, laterally compressed, its length equals the distance 
between the angle of the mouth and the posterior extremity of the opercle: it has about ten very 
strong curved denticulations along its internal border, whilst its anterior 
border ends in a point directed forwards, between which and the first 
tooth—on its internal border—is a membraneous prolongation in the form 
of a trefoil leaf. The dorsal spine is of the same length but more slender 
than that of the pectoral, it is finely serrated posteriorly and ends superiorly in a soft prolongation. 
The three first anal rays are undivided ; the caudal deeply lobed, the superior being generally the 
longest whilst both frequently terminate in filamentous prolongations. 
Lateral line—Passes direct from the upper margin of the opercle to the centre of the 
caudal fin. 
Colours—Bright leaden silvery, lightest along the sides and with a purplish gloss over the 
cheeks. A black spot just anterior to the root of the dorsal spine. Fins finely dotted with 
minute black points. 
Not uncommon in the rivers and tanks of fresh water, and occasionally found in the back¬ 
water. Immediately on being captured the fishermen break off its pectoral and dorsal spines, as 
wounds from them are dreaded. It takes a bait freely, and is eaten by the Natives, but does not 
appear to exceed five inches in length. 
Habitat—Malabar. 
Hypselobageus CAYASIUS. 
Pimelodus cayasius, Ham. Bitch, pp. 203, 379, pi. 11, f. 67. 
Bagrus cavasius, Cuv. & Val. xiv. p. 209 ; Jerdon , Madras Journal, xv. p. 337. 
Pimelodus seengtee, Sykes , Trans. Z. S. ii. p. 374, pi. 66, f. 2. 
Macrones cavasius, Gunther , Catal. v. p. 76. 
D. } | 0. P. 1. V. 6. A. 11. C. 15. 
The length of the head rather more than -J, base of adipose dorsal § of total length. Height 
of body ^ of total length. 
Head as broad as high, its greatest width being equal to two-thirds of its length. Upper 
jaw the longest : snout slightly depressed. Central longitudinal groove narrow extending 
posteriorly to the anterior extremity of the base of the occipital process : on either side are raised 
ridges which from opposite the orbits pass irregularly forward, and behind them in a stellated form. 
Occipital process narrow, and extending to the basal bone of the dorsal fin. Nasal cirri short: 
maxillary cirri reaching to the base of the caudal fin : mandibular ones short, the external being 
longer than the head, the internal slightly shorter. Both apertures of nostrils are nearer to the 
snout than they are to the orbits. 
