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Show 1868.] MR. F. DAY ON NEW INDIAN FISHES. 151 The numbers of spines, rays, and scales of the three are identical, whilst the difference in proportion is only such as might be due to age, sex, and accidental circumstances. The general coloration of these three species is scarlet, with a more or less purplish gloss. In a number of specimens from 2 ^ inches to 16 inches in length the following variations in colour were noticed. In the smallest there is a dark mark along the base of the dorsal fin, commencing at the opercles, and a black band across the back, just anterior to the root of the tail, on either side of which and extending over the back it has a white edge. In a specimen a little larger the colours are the same, except that there is a dark line along each row of scales. At 7-fo inches in length the band across the back before the tail is still very distinct, but it does not extend quite so far down the sides, and its light edges are not so visible. At 8y% inches the white edging has almost gone. At 9 inches, in one specimen, there is only a very indistinct dark bar across the back; it has, in fact, become the M. malabaricus, whilst at 1 1 ^ it has assumed the full scarlet colours of the M. chirtah. At 16 inches in length the scarlet colours are not so vivid, and the fins are slightly darker than in the young. MULLIDAE. U P E N E O I D E S FASCIOLATUS, sp. nov. D. 7/f P.15. V. 1/5. A. 2/5. C. 15. L. 1.36. L. tr. 2|/6. Length of specimen 3 inches. Length of head \, of pectoral £, of caudal \, of base of first dorsal y2^-, of base of second dorsal -j^, of base of anal j\ °f ^he total length. Height of head -^, of body \, of first dorsal £, of second dorsal y^, of ventral T 2^, of anal y\y of the total length. Eyes. Upper margin near the profile; diameter |- of length of head, 1 diameter from end of snout, 1 diameter apart. Profile of head rounded. Posterior extremity of maxilla reaches to beneath the anterior third of the orbital. Interorbital space concave, having a longitudinal groove down its centre. The barbels reach to opposite to the posterior margin of the orbit. Teeth in several villiform rows in both jaws, and in an uninterrupted semilunar band in vomer and palate. Fins. Second spine of first dorsal the highest, six rows of scales between the end of first dorsal and commencement of second dorsal. Origin of anal in a line slightly posterior to the origin of the second dorsal. Ventrals reach about halfway to the anus. Caudal deeply forked. Scales ctenoid over body, cheeks, and head, also over commencement of caudal, besides which there are some minute scales between rays of the second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. Lateral line in arborescent form on each scale. Air-bladder absent. Colours. Of a reddish chestnut along the back, becoming silvery |