OCR Text |
Show 1867.] MR. F. DAY ON INDIAN FISHES. 285 orbits, reaching anteriorly nearly as far as the intermaxillaries, and posteriorly almost to the base of the occipital process. Nasal cirri reach to opposite the posterior margin of the orbit; the maxillary to slightly behind the origin of the ventral fin ; the external mandibular pair reach the base of the pectoral fin, whilst the internal are one-third shorter. Teeth villiform, and in numerous rows in both intermaxillaries and lower jaw; on the vomer and palate they are of the same description, and arranged in an uninterrupted and slightly crescentic band. Fins. The first dorsal arises opposite to the posterior third of the pectoral, the ventral below the posterior extremity of the first dorsal. The anal commences rather nearer to the origin of the ventral than to the base of the caudal. The adipose dorsal begins opposite the middle of the anal. Dorsal spine weak, with about eight very slight serrations posteriorly in its upper third and terminating in a soft prolongation; its rays longer than the spine. The pectoral spine longer and stronger than the dorsal, flattened, rugose externally, with about eighteen strong serrations internally. Adipose dorsal thin and rounded. Anal slightly rounded. Caudal deeply lunated, the upper lobe the longest. Lateral line passes from the upper portion of the opercle direct to the centre of the caudal. Colours. Summit of head and back of a dark greyish olive, becoming yellowish from a little below the lateral line ; abdomen nearly white; about ten rather small and rounded black spots along the lateral line ; both dorsals dusky, with darker margins ; caudal olive ; ventral and anal yellowish white; pectoral yellowish, tipped with olive ; eyes olive, with a yellowish margin. Not uncommon in the Bowany, where they are captured up to 18 inches in length, and are considered good eating. HYPSELOBAGRUS CAVASIUS, Buch. Ham. Vella kulletee, Tam. The White Bagrus. B.vi. D. i|0. P. 1/6. V. 6. A. 11. C. 16. Grows to 18 inches in length. GLYPTOSTERNUM LONAH, Sykes. Kul kulletee, Tam. Stone Kulletee. B. viii. D. 1/6. P. 1/10. V. 7. A. 3/8. C. 15. Length of specimens to 4 inches. Not uncommon in the Bowany, where it gets under stones in the fords. NEMACHEILUS GUENTHERI, nov. sp. B.iii. D. \. P. 11. V. 8. A.}. C.19. Length of specimens up to 4 inches. |