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Show 258 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF INDIA. [May 1, the intestines of the Emu are seen to be covered by a horizontal septum, which resembles that of the Crocodiles except that it does not arise from the dorsal median line but along two lines placed nearer to the lateral parietes ; the relations of the posterior region of the oblique septum to the omentum are represented diagramma-tically in the accompanying drawing (fig. 2, p. 257). These facts, then, support my contention that the omentum as well as the oblique sepia of birds are to be derived from the fibrous expansion which covers over the viscera in the Crocodilia. They also suggest that the oblique septum of birds has been produced by a vertical fold of this fibrous expansion which became attached to the ventral parietes and ultimately lost all traces in most birds (?) of its primitively double nature, and not by a separation of part of it. 4. Observations on the Fishes of India.-Part I. By FRANCIS DAY, CLE., F.Z.S. [Received April 13, 1888.] During the ten years that have elapsed since the completion of my work upon the ' Fishes of India,' several new piscine forms have been obtained, both from the seas and fresh waters of that part of Asia. Extended observations among specimens preserved in the Museums of Europe have likewise convinced me that some species which I formerly considered to be undescribed have no title to that designation, while several of m y new ones have been redescribed as novelties by others. The foregoing reasons would scarcely have induced me to recur again to this interesting fish-fauna had it not been that it is proposed to re-issue m y work in a more portable size, better suited to the requirements of travellers and collectors. As the subject of tbe geographical distribution of these fishes will have to be considered, I am obliged to point out not only such forms as I have erroneously described to be new, but likewise to advert to those of other describers which I believe would come under this head. CROMILEPTES ALTIVELIS. Serranus altivelis, Cuv. & Val. 1 Serranus striolatus, Playfair, Fish. Zanzibar, p. 11, pi. iii. f. 2. 1 Serranus gibbosus, Boulenger, P. Z. S. 1887, p. 654. The figure of Serranus altivelis in Cuv. & Val. ii. pi. xxxv. shows the spines of the dorsal fin increasing in length to the last, which is delineated nearly twice as long as the second. Cantor, in his ' Malayan Fishes,' remarked that these spines from the third were of nearly equal length; Bleeker shows them slightly, but gradually augmenting to the last, which is figured as one fifth longer than the third : I have observed them more nearly corresponding with Cantor's description. The foregoing shows that differences do exist as to tbe length of these spines, and that a gradual augmentation from the |
