266 
THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
close to the profile. Opercle with a well marked horizontal ridge along its centre, having five 
more ridges proceeding below it to the posterior and inferior margins : rather a prominent but 
irregular ridge above the opercle (smallest in the female) which ends opposite its posterior superior 
angle in a wide smooth furrow directed upwards and slightly backwards. A lanceolate keeled 
ridge, rounded anteriorly, and directed forward exists in the occipital region. 
Fins—The dorsal fin is placed upon nine rings the first of which is the anal ring. The 
pectoral wide and short. The caudal lanceolate and equal in length to half that of the snout. 
Kings—Each very distinctly separated from the next, and ending in a moderately sharp spine 
posteriorly, causing the surface to feel quite rough to the finger passed from behind forward. In 
the female there are sometimes two spines to the end of each ring, and they are much sharper and 
longer than in the male. 
Colours—A bright red line at the gills, and along the lateral line, otherwise of a light brown 
with a dark line proceeding forward from the eye, and the snout barred with brown. Fins light 
brown. 
Not rare in the river at Cochin. This specimen, a male, was nearly eight inches in length. 
I conclude this is the species referred to by Dr. Kaup, as having been published by Dr. 
Bleeker as the Syngnathus cunculus, but as he gives no reference I have been unable to ascertain 
the fact. 
Habitat—Seas and estuaries of Malabar and (?) Malaysia. 
* MlCROPHIS CUNCULUS. 
Syngnathus cunculus, Ham. Buch. pp. 12, 362. 
Microphis cunculus, Kaup , Catal. Brit. Mus. p. 64. 
D. about 50. P. 16. A. 2. C. 8-9. Body rings 17-18. Caudal rings 25-27. 
Length of head jq, of body §, of tail of caudal fin of the total length. 
“ A prominent line divides the silvery gill-cover into two similar parts. The lateral line 
unites in an arch with the under border of the first caudal ring. Ten rings : three of them 
belonging to the body sustain the dorsal fin, before which there are 14 rings, and up to the anal 
ring there are 17.”— Kaup. 
Colours —“ Green above, and white beneath, with a gloss of silver on the sides. On the back 
several dusky lines intersect each other and form a net-work. On each side is a longitudinal 
stripe formed of numerous dots. The eyes are silvery .”—-Hamilton Buchanan. 
Habitat—Seas and estuaries of India. 
