THE FISHES OF MALABAE. 
213 
one-third longer than the orbit. Nostrils nearer orbit than end of snout, the posterior closed by a 
membraneous valve, the margin of the anterior slightly elevated, so as to appear semi-tubular. 
Teeth—In pharyngeals in three closely approximating rows, sharp, pointed, and slightly 
curved towards their extremities 4,3,2 | 2,3,4. 
Fins—The commencement of the dorsal is the width of two scales nearer the snout than to the 
base of the caudal, and the fin is in advance of the ventral. Anal situated in the posterior quarter 
of the body, and entirely behind the termination of the dorsal. Dorsal highest in front, with a 
row of scales along its base. A large free scale at the base of the ventral, which fin is rounded. 
Anal highest anteriorly. Caudal deeply lobed. 
Scales—Large. 
Lateral line—Curved slightly in its anterior portion, then passing direct to the caudal. 
Air bladder with a constriction, dividing one-third from the remaining two-thirds. 
Colours—Silvery, with a line of black passing from the snout through the lower part of the 
eye to the centre of the base of the caudal fin : above it a wide line of bright scarlet, extending the 
same distance. Back glossy metallic blue ; abdomen silvery white. Caudal with an oblique black 
band crossing the posterior third of each lobe. The other fins colourless. 
I received several specimens of this very pretty fish from the Rev. H. Raker, jun. who ob¬ 
tained them in the stream at Mundikyum, in the hill ranges of Travancore, where it is not uncom¬ 
mon, and grows to about six inches in length. It is named after H. E. Sir W. Denison, K.C.B., 
the Governor of Madras, who has devoted much attention to the natural productions of India. 
Habitat—Hill ranges of Malabar. 
PUNTIUS HAMILTONII. 
? Systomus Hamiltonii, Jerdon , Madras Journal, xv. p. 316. 
OoLEE PEELEE, Mai. 
B. iii. D. f. P. 17. Y. 9. A. f. C. 19. L. 1. 24. L. tr. f. 
Length of head jj, of pectoral ], of caudal T 2 T , of base of dorsal of base of anal Jg of 
total length. Height of head \, of body of dorsal 1, of ventral \, of anal ) of the total length. 
Eyes—Diameter -§ of length of head, § of a diameter from end of snout, 1 diameter apart. 
Profile gradually ascends to the base of the dorsal fin, and sinks from thence to the caudal. 
The abdominal profile is about equally curved with that of the back. 
Snout short : the posterior extremity of the maxilla extends as far as the anterior margin of 
the orbit. One pair of cirri on the maxilla, equal to about half the length of the orbit. 
Fins—The pectoral commences under the posterior extremity of the subopercle, and opposite 
its lower third : the dorsal opposite the end of the pectoral: the anal below the fifteenth scale of 
the lateral line. Pectoral fin pointed. Dorsal spines thin and weak, articulated in their whole 
extent, the first very short, the second two-thirds the length of the third, which equals the first 
branched ray: upper margin of fin rather concave. Ventral, first ray undivided, a very small 
elongated scale at its base. Anal nearly square, its first unbranched ray very minute, in some 
specimens indeed, not to be discovered ; the second and third very weak and thin. Caudal with 
a broad base, and rather deeply lobed. 
Scales—With rarely more than two or three radiating lines on their exposed portions : the rows 
are not quite parallel, opposite and above the fifth scale of the lateral line a new one commences. 
