OCR Text |
Show 302 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. [May 13, 30. STROMATEUS NIGER, Bloch. Baal (Ooriah). Hab. Chanderpore, in the sea. 31. CARANX ARMATUS, Forsk. Hab. Chanderpore, in the sea. 32. CHORINEMUS LYSAN, Forsk. One large specimen taken at Chanderpore, in the sea. 33. EQUULA RUCONIUS, H. Buch. ? Equula splendens, Cuv. & Val. Tunker chandee (Ooriah). B. v. D. ™ P. 21. V.|. A. £. C.19. L. 1. 68. lb-17 o li This species Dr. Giinther has considered to be the same as the E. interrupta, Cuv. & Val., of which he observes, " N o spines above the orbit; the cavity on the head is triangular, and twice and a half as long as broad. The lower praeopercular margin is minutely serrated." The following is a description of Hamilton Buchanan's fish, which I fouud common in the rivers of Orissa, far beyond tidal influence :- Length of head ^, of pectoral fin above ^, oi base of first dorsal -*-, of base of second dorsal ^, of base of anal -g- of the total length. Height of head \-, of body |, of first dorsal i, of second dorsal -fa, of ventral j1^, of anal £ of the total length. Eyes. Diameter nearly £ of length of head, 1 diameter from end of snout, and 1 diameter apart. Dorsal profile rises rather abruptly to opposite the anterior third of the orbit, and the occipital process ascends very abruptly, as shown in Hamilton Buchanan's figure. Lower jaw inferiorly concave. Lips fleshy. Cavity on head lanceolate, half as wide as long. Lower margin of praeoperculum with a strongly serrated edge. Two strong sharp spines, one over the anterior third of the orbit, the other above it and posterior to the nostril. The upper margin of the orbit serrated in the whole of its posterior two-thirds. Fins. Dorsal spines strong, the second being one-third as high as the body, and slightly longer but not so strong as the second anal spine. Third anal spine serrated on the lower half of its anterior margin. Caudal forked, lower lobe slightly the longest. Scales minute, but firmly adherent to the fish. Lateral line in 68 fine tubes, and distinct from the scales. It first ascends slightly, and opposite to the end of the second dorsal it proceeds horizontally. Colours. Silvery, shot with purple, and having dusky greyish bands descending from the back to the middle of the body. Snout covered with black spots. Fins yellowish. Eyes with a dark superior edging. A silver stripe is sometimes apparent along the side of the body. |