TE mp VA rgearere ot Piagrer mere ‘ — RES We } Saxe a ILS OP Pee rte ee sm Ab RE pen yn aatkn cesar kay OOS Cet ce cy aaa x PS Ar eS pee ren pimicy FA reid Aa Gli Ln i REPORT ON THE FISHES TAKEN BY THE BENGAL FISHERIES STEAMER “GOLDEN CROWN.” | PARA. FP BATOIDET. By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., Superintendent, Indian Museum. INTRODUCTION. The trawler ‘‘ Golden Crown’’ was purchased in England by the Bengal Government in the early part of the year 1908 and commenced work in the Bay of Bengal at the beginning of the monsoon season in June of that year. Since then she has made numerous trips, most of which have been confined to the northern parts of the Bay. Her work has not been scientific, and she is not equipped for research of any kind; but the Commissioner of Fisheries has permitted me to retain for the Museum specimens of the fish captured on each trip. The collection thus obtained has served to supplement the ichthyological investigations of Lieutenant-Colonel A. W. Alcock and his predecessors and successors as Surgeon Naturalist on the R.I.M.S. ‘Investigator ’’ ; for the trawl of the ‘‘Golden Crown,’’ being of the type commonly used in commercial fishing, is of a much larger size, and therefore capable of holding much larger fish, than any likely to be used for scientific purposes in Indian seas. It has, moreover, been used mainly in water of a depth between 20 and 30 fathoms, whereas the ‘‘ Investigator ’’ dredges mainly, but not solely, at much greater depths. The collections obtained by the two vessels are therefore complementary to one another. The ‘‘ Golden Crown’’ has trawled along the greater part of the coast from Gopalpur in the Ganjam district of the Madras Presidency to Oyster Island off the coast of Burma, but mostly in Balasore Bay, off Konarak and Puri in Orissa, off the entrance to the Eastern Channel of the river Hughli, off the Mutlah Lightship at the entrance to the Mutlah river, and in the vicinity of Cox’s Bazaar, Chittagong. Most of the ground covered has been muddy, but occasionally fine sand, coarse sand, and “coral grounds’’ have been worked. The so-called coral grounds, however, have not been coral reefs but places where the bottom has become sufficiently solid to afford a support for sedentary organisms of various kinds. Off Gopalpur in about 24 fathoms, for instance, enormous numbers of Tenagodes shells were brought up in the trawl, interwoven into rock-like masses with a Lithistid sponge; off Konarak a recent conglomerate of sand and decomposed shells was found to afford a lodging to numerous Gorgoniids and Antipatharians, some of the latter reaching a gigantic 2 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor ih, size: while off the coast of Arakan true fossiliferous rocks, apparently of Miocene age, were encountered, their surface being densely coated with solitary corals and molluses of various kinds. It has been decided that the Museum shall publish a report on the fish captured by the ‘‘ Golden Crown,’’ and the present paper is the first part of that report. Dr. J. Travis Jenkins, Scientific Adviser on Fisheries to the Government of Bengal, and Mr. B. L.. Chaudhuri, Assistant Commissioner of Fisheries, will deal with the Teleos- teans, while the systematic study of the Elasmobranchs falls to me. Probably Dr. Jenkins and I will deal jointly with the Selachians, as soon as we feel that the collection is sufficiently representative to be treated in a satisfactory manner. Since Dr. Jenkins came out to India, in November, 1908, I have been indebted very greatly to him for selecting and preserving specimens and for information about specimens not preserved and the nature of the localities. It has not been possible for me to go out on the trawler myself, but Dr. Jenkins has done so regularly and, quite apart from his own work, has shown himself a most zealous coadjutor in the work of the Museum. Captain R. E. Lloyd, I.M.S., has also gone out on the trawler for one trip, and I am indebted to him for some interesting observations. I must express my obligations to the Commissioner of Fisheries for allowing me to retain specimens for the Museum and for obtaining a grant of Rs. 400 from the Government of Bengal towards the expense of illustrating the report ; to Mr. B. I. Chaudhuri for much help as regards the collection, and to the skipper, Captain Mann, and European crew of the ‘* Golden Crown.’’ ‘To deal with large and powerful animals such as a full-grown saw-fish in such a way that they shall be suitable for scientific examination is a matter not devoid of difficulty and physical danger, and until November 1908 I was depen- dent on Capt. Mann and his hands as regards the specimens retained for the Museum. The Batoidei, being mostly bottom-haunting species, are more commonly captured in a trawl than any other large fish. Consequently it has been possible to obtain a fairly complete collection with great expedition. Indeed, between June 1908 and March 190g about sixty per cent. of the forms now known to inhabit the seas of British India have been captured by the ‘‘ Golden Crown,’’ while of the remaining forty per cent. at least half of the species live either at great depths or on the surface of the sea and would not therefore be taken in a trawl except by accident. In preparing the report on the Batoidei of the ‘‘ Golden Crown’’ I have made use not only of the old collection in the Indian Museum, but also of those in the Museum of Madras and Trivandrum, both of which, thanks to their respective heads, Mr. E. Thurston and Lieut-Col. F. W. Dawson, I have had the privilege of examining lately. The specimens from the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ have been sent up to the Museum in ice, and I have thus had an opportunity, in many cases, of comparing them in a fresh con- dition with specimens long preserved dry or in alcohol. This has proved a very valu- able opportunity, for it has been found almost impossible to identify certain species by means of the published descriptions on the basis of fresh material only. These 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batotder. 3 descriptions, including the measurements given, have evidently, in many cases, been based solely on badly stuffed Museum specimens, and the figures reproduced have had the same foundation. It may be well to give a definite statement as to the measurements recorded in this paper. Considerations of time and space have rendered them less complete than I would have liked, for expedition is necessary, as well as a considerable amount of spare room, if several large rays preserved in rapidly melting ice are to be measured in a tropical climate before they can go bad, especially if a proportion of them are finally to be preserved as museum specimens. Whenever possible, moreover, photographs and water colour sketches have been taken as well as the measurements, in order that an accurate record of the colours and outlines of the different species may be preserved. The measurements themselves have been taken with a tape across or along the speci- merns,—not from point to point. This method has been adopted as providing a more accurate standard for comparison than that of measuring from point to point. Ex- cept when it is otherwise stated, the measurements have been taken on the fresh speci- men before it has been dissected. The illustrations, except when it is otherwise stated, are reproductions of photo- graphs of frozen specimens. The following list contains the names of the Batoidei as yet recorded or here mentioned as occurring in the seas of British India and Ceylon. I have not dealt further, however, with most of the deep-sea forms. List OF THE BATOIDEI RECORDED FROM INDIAN SEAS. The names of the species not examined in connection with this report are printed in italics. ‘Those of species taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown’’ are marked with a*; those of species not described or recognized by Day in the ‘‘ Fauna’’ with a §; those species of which the types are in the Indian Museum with a f. Family PRISTIDA. Family RAJIDA. I. Pristis cuspidatus.* 12. Raja mamullidens.§{ 2. a PcrOttetit. 13. ,, johannis-davisi.§{ 2. » ‘pectinatus.* I4. ,, reversa.§t Ba. Pas ,, var. annandalet.*§+ iS aySD pO AS )| 4. 3 Zzyston.* 16,1" ,. powellit:$;) 16a. ,, philipii (?) (= R. powellii). $f Family RHINOBATID AS. Sat 2) 17. Platyrhina schonleni. 5. Rhamphobatis ancylostomus.* : ; 5 : ny. Bo ela ener aH 6. Rhinobatis djeddensis.* Family TRYGONID#. Ge As halavir 18. Trygon microps.*$+ 8. » granulatus.* 19. i uarnak.* Q. - thouint. 20. Le gerrardi.* IO. Be columnee.* BAC, f favus, sp. nov.*§f Telia 2 schlegelii.*§ BN eee bleekeri.* A Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Mor oak, 23. Trygon alcockii, sp. nov.*§7 41. Benthobatis moresbyi.§f 24. x jenkinsii, sp. nov.*§+ 42. Astrape dipterygia.* Zorg ee marginatus.* 43. Bengalichthys impennis, gen. et sp. 26 x bennettir. E nov.*§} ee ce anna Family MyLIoBaTIpaé. ZOvd EE zugeli.* ‘ 29. ,, kuhilii* 44. Rhinoptera javanica. 30. Hypolophus sephen.* 49: coe ESN, a 31. Teniura melanospilos. 46. Myliobatis nieuhofii.* 32. Urogymnus asperrimus.* 46a. ” ” var. cornifera, Bay oe leevior, sp. nov.§ nov.*§{ 34. Pteroplatea micrura.* 47 - ie maculata.* 35. . zonura.*§ 48. Aétobatis guttata.* 30. P tentaculata.*§ 49. D) flagellum.*§ Family TORPEDINID/:. Family CERATOPTERIDA. 37. Torpedo marmorata.§7. 50. Dicerobatis eregoodoo. 38. Narcine timlei.* 51. n thurstoni. 30. ,, brunnea, sp. nov.*§+ 52. xe kuhlir. 40. eo) mollis: $7, 53. Ceratoptera orissa. From this list it may be seen that of the fifty-three distinct species here recognized as occurring in Indian seas, no less than thirty-three have been taken during the past year by the ‘‘ Golden Crown.’’ Of the remaining twenty, seven probably live only in water deeper than that in which the operations of the fishery steamer have been con- ducted, while at least four (the members of the family Ceratopteridz) are surface forms and would not usually be takenin atrawl. Inthe listthere are twenty-one specific and two varietal names not to be found in Day’s volume in the ‘‘ Fauna,’’ or there regarded as synonyms. Of these, nine belong to species described within the last few years by Alcock! or IJoyd* and, with two exceptions, taken in deep water by the “‘ In- vestigator,’’ while twelve are here recorded for the first time or have recently been recorded for the first time in the Records of the Indian Museum. A new genus, five new species and a new variety are described in this report. Suborder BATOIDET. Family PRISTIDA® (Saw-fishes). The saw-fishes, which abound in the Bay of Bengal and make their way up some of the larger rivers, are very destructive to edible fish. Their livers yield an oil which should prove valuable (see Mr. Hooper’s analysis, postea) and the flesh of the young is edible, although there does not seem to be much demand for it. | Alcock, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Indian Deep-Sea Fishes (Calcutta, 1899), and Illustrations of the Zoology of the R.I.M.S. ‘‘ Investigator,” Fishes, pls. viii, xxvi, xxvii. * Lloyd, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), vol. xviii, p. 311 (1906); Rec. Ind. Mus., 1, p. 5 (1907), and Il. Zool. ‘* Investigator,” Fishes, pls. xxxix—xli. Also *‘ A Description of the Deep-Sea Fish caught by the R.I.M.S. ‘‘ Investigator” since the year 1900,” in Mem. Ind. Mus., ii, 1909 (tncd.). 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoider. 5 Only one genus can be recognized, namely Pristis, with five species, four of which eccur in the Bay. Key to the Indian Species of Pristis. I. ‘Teeth absent from the base of the saw for a considerabie distance. (a) From 25 to 35 teeth on each side of the saw. Anterior dorsal fin arising behind the root of the pelvic fins ae .. P. cuspidatus. II. Teeth present on the base of the saw. (a) Not more than 22 teeth on each side of the saw. Anterior dorsal fin in advance of the pelvic fins for the greater part of its length. P. perottetir. (6) Twenty-five or more teeth on each side of the saw. Anterior dorsal fin above the pelvic fins oe .. PP. pectinatus. (c) Twenty-six or more teeth on each side of Wes saw. Anterior end of anterior dorsal fin distinctly behind the anterior end of the root of the pelvic iS) pee ad Ae ae Be P. zysron. Pristis cuspidatus, Latham. This species is easily distinguished from all others by the following characters :— ‘a) The rostral teeth commence at a considerable distance from the base of the rostrum ; (b) Both edges of the rostral teeth are sharp, the hinder edge having a dis- tinct barb in young individuals ; (c) The lower lobe of the caudal fin is pointed and quite distinct. (d) The teeth in the mouth are smaller and relatively broader than in the other species. The broad groove which runs outwards and upwards from the outer edge of the nostril is also noteworthy, as well as the small size of the cutaneous fold on the an- terior edge of the nostril. Young specimens of this species have been caught by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ on al- most every voyage, but large ones are somewhat rare. The following measurements are those of the largest specimen {?) as yet taken, and of a large male. The former was captured at the beginning of August off Orissa, the latter in January off the mouth of the Ganges. The head, saw and fins of the female and the saw of the male are preserved in the Indian Museum. 9 g Extreme length (including saw) .. ie ae 300; 7. Cla) 245.0) cme Length of saw ie s a: oA oheh. By zis). Op Breadth of saw at base Ry, ii oe TON; Ses ia Te e ca Soa Lip = ve Brows. 40 Distance of first rostral tooth font Bee of saw he 77 ps TOi5 on, 3readth across pectoral fin eat ae — iy o0 Nhs OEE, ot Width of mouth ba i Sale eee neaIO), Ae TeE25ne 6 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [eVox els, Q 3 Breadth of pectoral fin ie a 24 BORO em ee ,, pelvic fin .. ie ue &: BE Oules) Length of pectoral fin .. He a: Dd gE Bee a pelvic him er ie ee ih! Tigo One ae Breadth of first dorsal fin BI ; ., second dorsal fin BACON U. ; Height of first dorsal fin B5 20h ore. e275 CLL », 5, second dorsal fin 25-ONEat aZO25 Length of dorsal lobe of caudal fin HONey ae BGO Greatest breadth of dorsal lobe of caudal fin ZO ter The rostral teeth are narrow in these specimens, measuring 10 mm. in breadth at the base and 21 mm. in length where they are not worn. They are very slightly retroverted and show no signs of a barb on the posterior edge, asthe rostral teeth of all young examples of the species (=P. semisagittatus, Shaw) do (see Muller and Henle, Syst. Beschr. d. Plagiostomen, pl. 60, 1841). The male has 27 teeth on either side of the saw; the female 27 on the right and 28 on the eit. The colour of young individuals is a dark leaden grey on the dorsal surface, fading to pale grey on the belly. The back of old specimens is considerably paler than that of the young and is tinged with green in life. Pristis cuspidatus 1s confined to the seas of India and the Malay Archipelago. It is common at the mouths of the Ganges. There is an interesting abnormal (stuffed) specimen of this species in the Museum. The anterior dorsal is entirely absent, but a slight scar on the skin of the back would suggest that it had been removed accidentally. In front of this scar there is a longi- tudinal band of small, broadly heart-shaped, flattened denticles, which is broadest posteriorly and becomes gradually narrower in front, reaching slightly beyond the anterior margin of the pelvic fins. The specimen is a young one, measuring about 80 cm. in length and was purchased in the Akyab market in 1006. Pristis perotteti:, Muller and Henle. This species is distinguished from P. pectinatus and P. zysron by the small number of its rostral teeth (not more than 22 pairs) and by the position of its first or anterior dorsal fin, which originates considerably further forward on the body than the pelvic fins. This species is very common in the estuaries of the Ganges and Brahmaputra, which it ascends for at least a hundred miles, often being captured in fresh water. The following are the measurements of two large females taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown,’ A in November off Arakan and B in October off Orissa. AS Be F xtreme length (including saw) st: os .. 656°0 cm. 561-0 cm. Length of saw Sa a a hi TAS One op el 2OkOn ne Breadth of saw (at base) ee 36 =f BIL os BERG 0 5 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoider. 7 ie 1B, Breadth of saw (at tip) of a a eae LG Soci © 7 One Width of mouth Sh: ae a ee Soy re Breadth of pectoral fin .. AE in yo eE20:00 Ss pepehvic: tint sy. ae ae Beg feck OR ets Length of pectoral fin .. at “tt ib pHOL a p=). pelvic fin te ue one OIRO er bc Breadth across pectoral fin [e. ue ee BOAO tt 226,018 Breadth of first dorsal fin Oe Ree a ue SECONG A) s 39/34 55 Height of first dorsal fin (B53). 5 ee MEME SeConGdmey 1 63739, It will be seen from these measurements that the proportionate length of the saw varies considerably. In specimen A it is slightly over } of the total length, while in B it is just about }. The teeth in these specimens are very stout, with the pos- terior edge strongly grooved. ‘They measure in A 27 mm. in breadth at the base and from 73—78 mm. in length, in B r8—zo0 mm. in breadth at the base and 50—08 mm. in length. The teeth at the tip bend forwards slightly in each case. A has 17 and B 18 pairs. The number on the sides of the saw, however, is not always the same I have examined specimens with 22 teeth on one side of the saw, but none with so many on both sides. Several have 20 on one side and 21 on the other. The adult female of this species is dull grey on the dorsal surface, almost white on the belly, and the male does not appear to differ from the female in coloration. Pristis perottetit is found in all tropical seas and estuaries and is closely related to P. antiquorum of the Mediterranean and Atlantic, from which it may be distin- guished by the fact that in the latter the first dorsal fin is situated immediately above the pelvic fins. Pristis pectinatus, Latham. This species is easily distinguished from P. perotteti: by the larger number of its rostral teeth (25—34 pairs). From P. zysvon it may be distinguished by the fact that the anterior edge of the first dorsal is situated almost immediately over that of the pelvic fins. The saw is short and tapers considerably, but Day is not correct in saying that it is always twice as broad at the base as at the tip, the proportion being sometimes about 4to 3. The rostral teeth are rather slender and are grooved posteriorly ; at the base of the saw they are, in old specimens, three or four times as distant from one another as they are at the tip. I have not seen a specimen in which they had the same number on both sides of the saw. ‘The true teeth, in the mouth, resemble those of P. perottetir. The head and forepart of the body are flatter in P. fectinatus than in any other species I have seen. The second dorsal fin is always slightly smaller than the first. Although this is caommon species in the estuaries of the Ganges and is well represented in the collection of the Indian Museum, I have found no complete specimens Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [ Vor. iL; (oa) ‘ of the typical form among those sent me from the ‘‘ Golden Crown.’’ A number of severed saws, however, appear to belong to this form. Pristis annandalet, Chaudhuri. (PI. v, fig. 4.) P. annandalei, Chaudhuri, Rec. Ind. Mus., ti, p. 391, text-figure. I do not now think that this form is more than a variety of P. pectinatus, if, in- deed, it is not the typical adult male of that species. The main difference lies in the coloration, and this is not only a character that is lost in dried specimens, but is also one that may very well be sexual or even seasonal. In all the species of the genus variation occurs as regards the exact proportions and outlines of the fins and saw, and I do not think, after comparing dried specimens, that the structural features which separate P. annandalei from the specimens of P. pectinatus in the Museum, are beyond the limits of such variation, although I agreed with Mr. Chaudhuri at the time he described his species that it was new. When fresh it exhibited a brilliancy of coloration much superior to anything that I have seen in any other specimen of the genus. The back was of a bright ashy grey, which faded into blue on the sides and then changed to pale yellow. The anterior margins of the dorsal fins were bluish grey, but the body of all the fins was orange-yellow suffused with red. The claspers were of a bright brownish red, and there was a conspicuous orange-red line running down each side of the saw and interrupted by each tooth. The following are the measurements of this specimen, which was taken in July off the coast of Burma in shallow water. Total length (including saw) hs: oe ee 2 30070cm= Length of saw rp me ive a2 org) a OROMESE Width of saw at base .. Be e - a 79 5 5 be ae attip ty. - > ie a AO) Sy Width of mouth re a a 32 Jap) eSya a5 Length of pectoral fin .. A eae fe Bb eye) sis is ,, pelvic fin (including claspers) ae Se a5 5 OIG Height of anterior dorsal fin ye ty ie sn ADE 7i Pay Height of posterior dorsal fin m He oe Be NSF 25 The rostral teeth are slender, measuring only from 7 to 8 mm. in width at the base and from 21 to 26 mm. in length. There are 24 on the right and 25 on the left. A successful cast of this specimen was made and was coloured from a water-colour sketch of the fresh specimen. Figure 4, plate v, is a reproduction of a photograph of this cast. The skeleton and part of the skin have also been preserved in the Indian Museum, the number in the Museum register of fishes being F 2483. Pristis zysyon, Bleeker. The rostrum in this species is longer in proportion to the body than that of P. pectinatus ; the rostral teeth are stouter, and in old specimens they are often as much as T9009. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batordet. 9 ten times as distant from one another at the base as they are at the tip of the saw. They frequently have the same number on the two sides of the saw. The posterior dorsal fin is usually rather larger than the anterior one. There is a narrow yel- lowish streak along the side of the saw in large individuals of this species, as there is in all adult specimens of P. pectinatus, but even in the males the colours are dull. Day says that P. zysvon is perhaps more common in the seas of India than P. cus- pidatus, but this remark probably applies to the Arabian Sea rather than the Bay of Bengal. Several large specimens have, however, been taken by the “‘ Golden Crown.”’ The measurements of two males are as follows :— Total length (including saw) .. ae .. 456°0cem. 462°5 cm. Length of saw - ry ay eI27On ne alZ0;0 85 Width of saw at base fhe a ig) AEDES Fe 203308 OAL Rens A ACcLD a a By 6:25);: TAI Breadth across pelvic fin £$ a VA SOM ale eS TieD ee The second of these specimens has 28 pairs of rostral teeth, the first has 25 on one side and 26 on the other. I should not be surprised ultimately to obtain a series of specimens linking P. fectinatus and P. zysron together. Undoubtedly there has been much confusion as regards the two species, and I am by no means satisfied that they are distinct. The large size of adult specimens and the difficulty with which they are preserved, however, militate against the acquisition of such a series. All the ordinary specimens of P. pectinatus I have seen have been less than 10 feet long with the saw, while the two of P. zysvon JT have examined in detail have been over 15 feet. I doubt whether either form grows as large as P. ferotteti. Family RHINOBATIDZ (Guitar-Fishes, Spear-Sharks). Shark-like rays (having the gills on the ventral surface) with the anterior part of the body depressed but comparatively little expanded and the pectoral fin-rays not extending forwards to the sides of the head. The snout rounded or produced, without rostral teeth. No electric organ. Two dorsal fins, without spines. This family is divided by Gunther, as by most other ichthyologists, into three genera, viz., Rhynchobatus, Rhinobatus and Trygonorhina. Trygonorhina, which is distinguished from Rhinobatus by having the anterior nasal valves confluent, is only known from the S. Pacific, but Rhynchobatus and Rhinobatus are both well represented in Indian seas. Two very dissimilar species, however, are held by most authors to constitute the former genus, although they differ from one another considerably not only in the shape of the snout but also in the structure of the head. These two species are R. ancylostomus and R. djeddensis. The former in my opinion is not congeneric with the latter and as Gill’s generic name Rhamphobatis is available for it, I have placed it in that genus. As regards Rk. djeddensis, moreover, I have been confronted with a difficulty in the matter of the proper genus to which it should be assigned. It is sup- posed to be distinguished from the species of Rhinobatus by certain rather ill-defined 10 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor. II, characters, which are discussed below. I cannot regard it as generically distinct from its allies usually placed in Rhinobatus. The two Indian genera recognized in this paper are, therefore, Rhamphobats, Gill {r861), and Rhinobatis, Bloch and Schneider (1801). Genus RHAMPHORATIS, Gill. Head rounded in front, not produced into a rostrum. Back bearing large compressed bony tubercles arranged in rows. Teeth lozenge-shaped, transverse, with many sinuous, parallel transverse ridges. I have made a careful comparison between the skull of the one species of this genus and that of Rhinobatis djeddensis. ‘The cranial cartilages are somewhat different in the two species. In the latter a single rostral cartilage projects forward between the nasal capsules ; its ventral surface is hard, solid and undivided, but there is a broad and lengthy longitudinal depression on the dorsal surface. In Khamphobatis, on the other hand, a pair of rostral cartilages, which are much broader and flatter than the single one in Rhinobatis and only joined to one another at the base by membrane, arise in the same position and only unite as cartilages near the tip of the snout. The condition in Rhinobatis granulatus, R. schlegelua and R. halavi is exactly the same as in R. djeddensis. There is, moreover, a distinct difference between the teeth of Rhamphobatis and those of all the species of Rhinobatis Ihave examined. In the latter genus, although the teeth differ considerably in the different species, they may be described in all cases as having a single transverse ridge, which sometimes is raised in the centre so as to be almost conical. In Rhamphobatis, on the other hand, the teeth bear numerous wavy transverse ridges, none of which is much better developed than the others. Rhamphobatis ancylostomus {Bloch and Schneider). (Pl. v, fig. 5.) Pectoral fins with the anterior margins not joined by skin to the sides of the head. A median dorsal ridge of large, compressed, irregular tubercles running from just behind the spiracles a little more than half way to the first dorsal fin ; a similar ridge on either side running along the internal margin of the orbit and spiracle and continued in a somewhat less conspicuous fashion round the anterior margin of the former; a patch of similar tubercles in front of each of these lateral ridges, which are continued posteriorly, after a considerable interruption, by short and feeble ridges in a straight line with them ; a still shorter and feebler outer lateral ridge on either side parallel to the main one. ‘The two dorsals and the caudal fin about equidistant from one another ; the posterior rather smaller than the an- terior; the lower lobe of the caudal long and pointed. A strong ridge on the side of the tail. Mouth strongly undulated, the two downward projections on the upper jaw and the three upward projections on the lower jaw approximately equal; the teeth lozenge-shaped, the breadth ?—? of the length ; ten distinct ridges on the unworn teeth; teeth much smaller on the excavations of the jaw, than on the projections. 1900. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoider. II There is a cast of a young specimen coloured from life in the Trivandrum Museum. It is of a bright salmon-pink body colour with numerous, narrow, irregular black trans- verse bars. In older individuals the pink fades to a dull greenish shade, while the black bars become fainter and anastomoye into a more or less regular reticulation, at first enclosing round white spots and finally becoming almost obliterated, so that only a faint marbling persists. In old specimens, however, scme dark linear markings usually remain on the base of the pectoral fins. In the male figured on plate v, fig. 5, these markings took the exact form of a ? symmetrical on the two sides. Five specimens have been taken to my knowledge by the ‘‘Golden Crown,’’ four of them fully adult. One {°) was captured in October off the Orissa coast, and two (@,¢) in December off the mouth of R. Hughli. The measurements of the former and of one of the latter were as follows :— g oid Total length sie ne a a 20420 Cis 206;0) ci, Breadth across pectoral fins .. wh Br) eS One pee IS yOne Mouth to vent an aes We Ee 5% TESON oa Width of mouth .. Ss ae a v ZS eI Distance between eyes EAE Pye ee oO ae. Anterior border of pectoral fins 25°40 1. 45°6 ,, Anterior border of pelvic fins .. CAA OY TEE) a Anterior border of rst dorsal 32:08, DAO). Anterior border of 2nd dorsal .. Pe) Nis Ga Length of upper lobe of caudal fins AAG aaa 3055). Day’s figure (Fishes of India, vol. ii, pl. cxciti, fig. 3) is evidently taken from an immature specimen. I therefore reproduce a photograph of the male whose measure- ments are given above. Genus RuINOBATIS, Bloch and Schneider. Head produced into a more or less elongated and narrow rostrum without lateral teeth. Back bearing tubercles of various kinds.in rows, or uniformly covered with granu- lar denticles. Teeth lozenge-shaped or almost circular, with a single transverse ridge or a central conical projection. Anterior nasal valves not confluent. Miller and Henle in separating ‘‘ Rhynchobatus ”’ from the species they included in ‘* Rhinobatus ’’ relied mainly (see Syst. Beschr. d. Plagiostomen, pp. 111 and 113) on the shape of the nasal valves, the position of the spiracles relative to the eyes and the outline of the anterior part of the body, while Gtinther (Cat. Fishes, viii, pp. 440. 441) and Day (Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, i, pp. 39, 40, 42) lay great stress on the fact that the anterior margin of the pectoral fin is quite free in Khynchobatis and is joined to the snout by a membrane in R/inobatis. Day also notes that the anterior dorsal fin is opposite the pelvic fins in the former genus and far behind them in the latter. The differences noted by Muller and Henle undoubtedly exist, but they seem hardly to be of generic value, considering the variation that occurs within the limits of the genus Rhinobatis (sensu stricto), nor does the difference in the position of the 12 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Morse dorsal fins seem to be of very great importance ; in some species (¢.g., P. schlegelit) the first dorsal is much nearer the pelvic fins than it is in others (e.g., Rk. granulatus). As regards the freedom or otherwise of the anterior border of the pectoral, I fail to see any absolute difference at all in fresh or well-preserved specimens. Undoubt- edly, however, there is a certain gradation in respect of this character ; in R. djed- densis the fin projects more freely than it does in R. granulatus, but in R. granulatus it projects more freely than in R. halavi. The fact that the lower lobe of the caudal is distinct in Fk. djeddensis and not so in the other species would not be regarded as a generic difference in other families of the suborder. Indeed, ‘‘ Rhynchobatus ’’ seems to me to be less widely separated from such a form as Rhinobatis granulatus than Pristis cuspidatus is from such a form as P. perottetiv. Key to the Indian Species of Rhinobatis. I. Anterior dorsal fin above pelvic fins. Tail with a distinct lower pointed lobe ae ee ate YE R. djeddensis. II. Anterior dorsal fin wholly behind the pelvic fins. A. No fold of skin on the interval between the anterior angles of the nostrils. A’. Interval between the posterior angles of the nostrils not markedly less than the length of one nostril. (a) A row of sharp spines running down the centre of the back. Snout acutely pointed a .. R. granulatus. (a’) An interrupted row of obtuse spines on the back. Snout obtuse... or oh At R. halavr. A”. Interval between the nostrils posteriorly less than half the length of one nostril * ie R. thouinr. B. The anterior nasal valve on each side continued as a fold of skin extend- ing towards the other nostril. (b) Back with a median row of large, smooth tubercles crossed by a vertical line of similar tubercles on the shoulder FR. colwmne. (b’) Back finely granular with faint indications of a mid-dorsal row of enlarged tubercles i .. R. schlegeln. Of the six species enumerated in this key four have been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown,’’ while a fifth is fairly well represented in the old collection of the Indian Museum. I have not seen R. thouwint. R. schlegelii is here recorded from Indian seas for the first time ; R. djeddensis has been taken in very large numbers, while R. granulatus is rep- resented by a single specimen in the ‘‘Golden Crown’’ collection and by several in that of the Indian Museum; of R. columne several specimens have been taken by the trawler. 6. Rhinobatis djeddensis {Forskal). Rhynchobatus djeddensis, Grinther, op. cit., p. 441 ; Day, op. cit., p. 40. Snout pointed, measured from the mouth between 4 and } of the total length ; the concavity on the dorsal surface extending forwards for a considerable distance. OCs] N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoider. 13 is Back in the adult bearing several rows of regular, compressed bony tubercles, which also surround the anterior margin of the orbits. The ventral lobe of the tail almost equal to the dorsal lobe in the young, relatively smaller in the adult. The posterior dorsal fin smaller than the anterior, which is situated over the pelvic fins. ‘There are two conspicuous ridges on the posterior margin of the spiracle. The jaws have each a single undulation, which is not very deep. The teeth are large, suboval transversely, and bear a single transverse central ridge, which be- comes obsolete as they are worn, the breadth of each tooth is to the length as 5 to 3 or 3 to 2; the teeth on the central concavity of the upper jaw are smaller than the others. In the young the back is of a rather pale greyish olive-green, which takes a bluish tinge on the eyelids. The lateral and caudal fins and the greater part of the snout are pink. On each side, near the centre of the base of the pectoral, there is a large round black spot, which is surrounded by much smaller white spots. Numerous similar white spots are scattered on the sides of the body and a few appear on the pectorals. In older specimens the olive-green becomes darker and gieyer, the spots tend to disappear, although perhaps they never become quite obsolete, and the pink changes to grey. It is unnecessary to describe this common and well-known species at any great length. It is by far the most abundant species of its family in the catches of the ‘*Golden Crown,’’ whose trawl brings up numerous examples on every trip. The largest specimen I have seen measured 8 ft. g inches (258 cm.). It was a female with seven fully formed young ones in one oviduct, the other oviduct being empty and its corresponding ovary containing large eggs. The unborn young measured 34 cm. in length and bore’ yolk-sacs, which were smaller than those of some young ones captured free. In the case of the latter the yolk-sac was as big as a small orange. There does not appear to be any arrangement for supplying the unborn young with maternal nourishment in the case of this species. Day mentions that the young are very common off the Coromandel coast about March ; they are also abundant at the head of the Bay of Bengal in September and October. Rhinobatis halavi (Forskal). Rhinobatus halavi and Rh. obtusus, Gthr., op. cit., pp. 442, 443 ; Rh. halavi, Day, op. cit., p. 43. I have not the material on which to base a fresh description of this species, as regards the synonymy of which I merely follow Day. No specimens have been taken by the “* Golden Crown ’’ and there are only dried or immature specimens in the Museum. A stuffed female measures 128 cm. in total length, and we have a much smaller one in spirit, as well as several other skins. ‘The short, obtuse snout is charac- teristic. The teeth resemble those of Rh. granulatus but their transverse ridge is not so strongly convex. 14 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Wore Ey Rhinobatis granulatus. Rhinobatus granulatus, Gthr., op. cit., p. 443 ; Day, op. cit., p. 42. Snout pointed, variable in length, as a rule from 44 to 5} times in the total length ; The the dorsal concavity triangular, narrow. ‘The interval between the nostrils posteriorly not or hardly greater than the length of the nostril; the anterior nasal valve variable in size, usually small, not produced inwards beyond the limits of the nostril. The two dorsal fins situated considerably behind the posterior margin of the pelvic fins, equal or subequal, separated by rather more than the length of anterior fin. The lower lobe of the caudal rounded, not distinctly marked off from the dorsal lobe. back, the central ridge of the snout and the antetior part of each dorsal fin covered in the adult with somewhat irregular, granular or obtusely pointed, small denticles, which become smaller from the mid-dorsal line outwards. ‘There is a dis- tinct row of sharp retroverted spines extending along the mid-dorsal line from a little behind the spiracles to the anterior dorsal fin, and as a rule there are several similar spines on the anterior margin of the orbit. The lateral fins and the sides of the snout are naked. In the young (=Rhinobatus philippi, Muller and Henle) there are two sharp, retroverted spines on either shoulder, forming with the slightly enlarged denticles which surround them a line crossing the mid-dorsal line at right angles. On either side of the rostral ridge there is a line of similar spines; the dorsal line extends backwards between the two dorsals. The colour of the adult is described by Day as ‘‘ reddish grey superiorly, becoming dull The white beneath.’’ The young is greenish grey on the back ; the snout pure white, with the exception of the central ridge, which is of the same colour as the back. jaws are very feebly undulated, and it is not possible to recognize definite upward and downward projections and corresponding concavities in them. The teeth are small, transversely rhomboid, but with the four angles somewhat rounded. The transverse ridge runs across the tooth near the inner margin and is markedly con- vex in its centre, so that the exposed surface of the tooth as a whole has a tuber- cular appearance. There is no marked difference in the size of the teeth at different points on the jaw. Only one specimen of this species appears to have been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown,’’ a young female from off the Orissa coast. There are, however, several other specimens in the Museum collection. The largest (stuffed) measures 185 cm. in total length. Rhinobatis columne , Bonaparte. Rh. columne, Bonaparte, Fauna Italica, Pesci, No. 152, plate. ? Rh. horkelii, Mziller and Henle, op. cit., p. 122, pl. 41. Snout sharply pointed, about 6} times in the total length; the ‘distance between the outer angles of the nostrils rather more than } and less than ? of that between the mouth and the end of thesnout. ‘The anterior nasal valve produced 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoider. 15 into a fold which does not reach or barely reaches the lateral margin of the nostril. The back very flat ; the breadth acrossthe widest part of the pectorals 2} times in the total length. Pectoral fins broadly rounded ; tip of pelvic fins nearly reaching base of first dorsal, which is separated from second dorsal by more than twice its ownlength. Rostral ridges narrowly separated. Back minutely granular with a row of smooth, rounded tubercles extending down the centre from a short distance behind the eyes to the posterior dorsal fin; a semicircle of similar tubercles extending round the inner margin of each orbit, and a short interrupted row crossing the mid-dorsal line at right angles in the scapular region. Colour of young dark greyish brown with indistinct marblings of a darker shade and with numerous somewhat obscure, round, whitish spots ; edges of snout white in smaller specimens ; all the fins becoming pale at the edge ; ventral surface white. The larger specimens I have examined are darker than the smaller ones and have less white on the snout, which in some is of the same colour as the back. The mouth is straight; the teeth are small and almost flat, the ridge across them being feebly developed. They are of the same size on all parts of the jaw. Several specimens of this species were obtained off the entrance to the Eastern Channel of the mouth of the river Hughli by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ in February, 1909. The largest, a male with the claspers evidently immature and not reaching the tip of the pelvic fins, measured 42°9 cm. in length. Except as regards colour, these speci- mens agreed closely with Mulier and Henle’s figures of R. horkelii, which appears to be separated from Rk. wndulatus mainly on account of its darker snout. A pale snout is characteristic of the young, however, not only in R. columne but also in R. djeddensis , R. halavi, Rk. schlegelii and R. granulatus. The same is true as regards white spots, at any rate in the case of R. djeddensis and R. schlegelii. Both Gunther and Day state that in R. columne' the continuation of the anterior nasal valve almost meets its pair on the other side. In Bonaparte’s original figure, however, this is not represented as being the case. My specimens agree much more closely with Gunther’s description of R. wndulatws than they do with his description of R. columne, but I feel bound to follow Bonaparte’s figure in my identification. Some confusion probably exists between these two species, but I have not the material to clear it up. Rhinobatis schlegelu, Miller and Henle. Rhinobatus schlegelii, Gthr., op. cit., p. 445. Snout long, pointed, but shorter than that of R. granulatus ; the central concavity of the rostral ridge elongated and narrow. ‘The two ridges on the posterior border of the spiracle very strongly developed. Anterior nasal valve produced into a flap which extends beyond the edge of the nostril inwards towards the middle line but does not nearly meet its fellow of the opposite side. Posterior nasal valve ' Since the above was written I have been able to examine a small Italian specimen of R. columne preserved in sprit. It appears to b2 browner than my Inlian specimens and lacks all trace of white spots. Otherwise it agrees with them very closely, except that perhaps the tubercles on the back and round the orbits are a little less prominent.—A pril 18th, 1909. 16 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor. II, strongly dilated on the margin of the nostril. Anterior dorsal fin slightly behind the pelvic fins, the claspers reaching as far as its anterior margin in the male ; both dorsal fins short and high, subequal, separated by several times the length of the anterior fin. Denticles minutely granular all over the dorsal surface, barely enlarged on the mid-dorsal line. Colour of the dorsal surface uniform brownish grey or olive-green in the adult ; sides of the snout pale in young specimens; numerous faint white spots all over the dorsal surface of the body in the unborn young. Jaws nearly straight. Teeth small, with the transverse ridge so strongly convex that when viewed in profile they appear to be almost conical with a flattened base. Several adult specimens of this species were obtained by the ‘‘ Golden Crown’ off the entrance to the Eastern Channel of the river Hughli in a depth of about 30 fathoms in February, 1909, and a small male, which was presented by Mr. J. H. Row and identified by Col. Alcock, has been in the Museum for some years. It was taken in the Mutlah river, which connects the Salt Lakes near Calcutta with the sea. Gunther mentions an adult female of 700 mm. and an adult male of 750 mm. from Japan. A female from the Eastern Channel with five young in its oviduct measured 500 mm., while an apparently adult male measured 336 mm. The transverse diameter across the pectoral fins was in the former case 187-5 mm. The young from the oviduct of this specimen measured 120 mm. in length and 44 mm. across the disk. Their snouts, although produced, terminated much more abruptly than was the case in the adult, the two sides being nearly parallel. In the mother the length of the snout {measured from the eyes) was contained 5°62 times in the total length, while in . the young it was contained 6:66 times. R. schlegelii has been recorded from the east coast of Africa as well as from Chinese and Japanese seas. ’ Family RAJIDA® (Skates). Head and body forming a rhombic disk, much flattened ; the pectoral fins extending to the snout ; tail quite distinct. Skin usually bearing spines and large denticles. Tail with a longitudinal fold on each side and a caudal fin, which is degenerate in some genera ; dorsal fins present. No electric organ. No serrated caudal spine. In Day’s works on Indian ichthyology only one member of this family is recorded as occurring in Indian seas, viz., Platyrhina schonleinii. In recent years, however, six species of Raja (of which four are markedly distinct from one another, although each species is founded on a single specimen) have been described by Alcock or Lloyd. A specimen which I take to belong to Alcock’s Raja powellii was recently taken in shal- low water off Trivandrum on the west coast of India and has been presented to the Indian by the Trivandrum Museum ; but the members of the family belong essentially, so far as Indian seas are concerned, to the deep-sea fauna. Captain R. E. Lloyd has therefore dealt with them in a paper (to be issued in the Memoirs of the Indian Museum almost simultaneously with this one) on the deep-sea fishes taken by the ‘‘ Investiga- tor ’’ since the publication of Col. Alcock’s monograph. No Rajidee have been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown.’’ 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batovrder. 17 Family TRYGONIDZ® (Sting-Rays and Butterfly Rays). Head and body forming a rhombic or sube rcular disk ; pectoral fins meeting in front of the snout; tail quite distinct. Tail without longitudinal folds, sometimes with dorsal and ventral cutaneous, rayless flaps; dorsal fins absent or very small, a recumbent serrated spine usually present on the tail. No electric organ. Of the true rays this family is the best represented in the Indian seas, in which it is practically confined to shallow water. Four genera and twelve species are re- corded by Day; to these, seven species are here added, one having recently been described and three being described below for the first time, while three were pre- viously known but had not been found (or recognized) in Indian seas. One of the forms regarded by Day as distinct is here regarded as synonymous with another. Fifteen species have been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown.’’ The Trygonide , although their flesh is coarse, are eaten by many castes of Indians, who attribute to them certain tonic and aphrodisiac qualities. The tails of the larger species are made into whips and walking.sticks, and there is no doubt that an extremely valuable oil could be manufactured out of their livers (see Mr. Hooper’s analysis, poste). The fishery or estuarine species in the river Hughli, however, which is referred to by Blyth (Journ. Asvat. Soc. Bengal, xxix, p. 35, 1860), appears to have completely died out. The five Indian genera may be distinguished as follows :— ce Key to the Indian Genera of Trygonide. I. ‘Tail with a serrated spine, without cutaneous folds or with them rudimentary and not reaching the tip. Teeth flattened, with a transverse ridge or (rarely) with a sharp cusp ; jaws not angular Y . Tvrygon. II. ‘ail with a serrated spine, with a cutaneous fold Bees times as deep as itself but not extending normally to the tip. Teeth flat, without a transverse ridge; jaws angularly bent J ae v .. Hypolophus. III. Tail without a serrated spine. Teeth without a definite transverse ridge Urogymnus. IV. Tail with a serrated spine and a cutaneous fold extending to the tip Teniura. V. Disc very broad and short, angular. ‘Tail feeble, with or without a small dorsal fin, normally with a serrated spine. Teeth saddle-shaped, with one or more sharp cusps in front ae fe oe .. Pteroplatea. The first four genera in this key are very near one another and should perhaps be regarded as subgenera. In Tvygon the serrated spine is occasionally absent, while in Hypolophus individuals occur in which, probably owing to injury in early life, the cutaneous fold extends to the extremity of the tail. In diagnosing the species of this family it is particularly important that attention should be paid to fresh specimens. Many species grow to so large a size that it is practically impossible to preserve them in alcohol, while the characteristic markings disappear and the natural proportions are distorted in stuffed skins. With reference to measurements it is necessary that an exact statement should be made as regards the methods adopted, for there are several different ways in which 18 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [ors ld each of the more important measurements might be taken. So far as the Trygonide are concerned I have measured the length of the disk from the tip of the mouth to the base of the tail and have not included the length of the pelvic fins. A more exact measurement might be obtained on the ventral surface, but for diagnostic purposes the one adopted is sufficiently accurate. The breadth of the disk has been measured across the back with a tape, not from point to point. This method gives a more ac- curate idea of the bulk of a flat fish than that of measuring from point to point, but of course it makes the deeper species, such as 7vygon microps, appear to have a larger expanse of pectoral fin than is actually the case. The snout has been measured from a point just in front of the eyes, the interorbital space from the inner margin of one orbit to that of the other, the tail from the posterior end of the disk. The genera of Trygonide are, for the most part, sufficiently defined in the above key, so far as the Indian forms are concerned. Uvolophus, which is recorded from Java and may very probably occur within our area, is distinguished from Trygon by the possession of a rayed caudal! fin and, in some species, a rudimentary dorsal one. Genus TRyGON, Adanson. Disk distinct from tail (which is always powerful}, more or less flattened, never very much broader than long. No rayed caudal or dorsal fins ; at least one serrated caudal spine, except in abnormal specimens; a rayless caudal fold sometimes present on the dorsal or ventral surface of the tail, or on both surfaces, but never much deeper than the tail itself. Teeth as a rule flat with a transverse ridge, rarely bearing a sharp spine. In the genus 7vygon, an important specific character consists in the number, proportion, and outline of the cutaneous processes on the floor of the mouth behind the cutaneous fold that hangs down from the roof. These can only be investigated pro- perly by dissecting out the mouth. Although they are not absolutely constant in any one species, the evidence they afford as to the distinction between allied species such as T. uarnak and T. favus is very valuable, for the differences they display are often strongly marked in allied species. The character of their variation is best illustrated by examples. In7.gerrvardii (plate ii, fig. 6) there are usually four processes, the two central ones being much stouter and longer than the two lateral ones. As a rule the central ones are pointed, but in one specimen dissected {plate 11, fig. 6a) they are blunt and fringed at the tip. In another specimen the two lateral processes are absent. In what seems to be a normal specimen of 7. microps there are three central processes joined together at the base so as to form a deeply serrated ridge, but in three out of the five individuals I have dissected the arrangement of these processes is not quite sym- metrical, while in one there are four central processes with traces of a fifth. Key to the Indian species of Trygon. I. Large species (adults over 40 cm. across the disk, young over I5 cm.) as a rule with a single large serrated spine! on the tail; cutaneous caudal fold, if present, inconspicuous. ! There is usually a second, smaller one concealed under the first. 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batovrder. 19 A. All the denticles with stellate bases. (a) Distance between the eyes less than half the length ofthe snout. Base of tail broad and flat i .. I. mucrops: B. All or most of the dorsal denticles with round or polygonal bases. (a) Dorsal denticles forming a regular wine-glass-shaped figure with well-defined borders. {a') Distance between the eyes less than half the length of the snout be .. IL. bleekers. a’) Distance between the eyes more than half the length Othe Shout = as -. Dagerrardi: (b) Denticles not forming a regular figure on the back. (b') Dorsal denticles, if present, confined to the middle line. Dorsal surface pink or red .. .. I. bennettir. (b’) Dorsal denticles absent from the pelvic fins, flat and rounded. Dorsal surface olive-brown with faint pale spots scattered all over the disk T-.alcockii, sp.nov. (b>) A row of sharp spines running down the middle of the back and the base of the tail. Dorsal surface olive-brown, without spots .. 7. jenkinsi1, sp. nov. (b*) Flat dorsal denticles irregularly interspersed with small stellate ones on the body ; the pectoral fins covered with small stellate denticles. Dorsal surface grey- ish i Pie T. marginatus. (b°) Flat dorsal denticles epaaahy interspersed with small stellate ones, which are absent from the pectorals. Dorsal surface of adult pale brown with darker mark- ings; o1 young white with black spots T. uarnak. (b’) No stellate denticles. Dorsal surface of adult dark brown with a bold honeycomb pattern of dull yellow. T. favus, sp. nov. II. Small species (adults less than 40 cm. across the disk, young not more than Io cm.). A. Distance between the eyes about one-third the length of the snout. Dorsal surface dark brown . +0 T. zuget. B. Distance between the eyes ie than half the length of the snout. Dorsal surface pale brown .. L.ambricata. C. Distance between the eyes almost as Sean as the length of the snout. Dorsal surface grey with bluish spots .. re T. kuhlir. The only species named in the key I have not seen is Trygon bennett. Dumeril (Nat. Hist. Poissons, i, p. 596, 1865) records a specimen of this species measuring 43 cm. across the disk, while one of Henle and Miiller’s was rather larger {‘‘ Plagiostomen,”’ p. 161). All the figures I have seen, however, look as though they represent young 20 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. Morell. individuals. The adults of the other species included in Section I of my key grow over 2 feet (60 cm.) in diameter, but T. gevvardi does not greatly exceed this limit. Trygon microps, Annandale. (PI. iv, fig. 1; pl. ii, figs. 3, 3a; pl. iii, fig. 1.) T. microps, Annandale, Rec. Ind. Mus., ii, p. 393, pl. xxvii. Size large (large female over 222 cm. across the disk, large male over 190 cm.). Colour white ; the dorsal surface of the disk suffused with rose-pink, without definite markings ; tail grey above, becoming darker distally. Disk rhombic, wider than long by more than one-quarter of the width ; the pectoral angles rather greater than right angles. Snout rounded as a whole, but with a small terminal projection which is covered with enlarged denticles. Distance from ‘eyes to tip of snout greater than that from eye to eye ; length of snout 3} to 44 in length of disk. Eyes very small, dark in colour, little prominent ; spiracles large, without dorsal flaps, their area more than eight times that of the eyes. Tail without cutaneous fins, not longer than disk, consisting of a broad, flat, proximal part about half as long as the disk, and a slender, cylindrical distal part of ap- proximately the same length, a single massive spine borne at the junction of the two parts ; a very low ridge on the ventral surface of the distal part. Skin soft and delicate, without enlarged tubercles on the disk, bearing numerous minute, spiny denticles (pl. 11, figs. 3, 3a), all of which have stellate bases. The denticles larger on the tip of the snout and the region surrounding the eyes and spiracles than elsewhere, sometimes extending to the ventral surface at the edge of the pectoral fins. The proximal part of the tail armed with much larger denticles, which are largest on the sides and only bear very short stellate spines on the ventral surface ; distal part densely clothed with denticles similar to but smaller than those on the sides of the proximal part. Mouth large ; upper jaw undulating slightly, lower jaw practically without undula- tion; a coarsely digitate cutaneous flap hanging down from the roof of the mouth; usually five short finger-like processes on the floor of the mouth, three in the centre joined together at the base and one at either side (pl. iii, fig. 1). Teeth white ; the transverse ridge very conspicuous in the unworn teeth, the part an- terior to it being slightly concave and considerably greater in area than that pos- terior to it, which is convex. Two specimens, both females, have been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown,’’ one (the type) off the coast of Chittagong in 17 fathoms in August, and a second, larger specimen off the coast of Orissa in October. In all the specimens examined, the tail looks as though it had been mutilated, but I cannot be quite sure that it is not in its normal condition. The larger specimen gave birth to a young one on board the trawler, but the young one was unfortunately thrown overboard. Owing to a clerical error, which I have been able to rectify by measuring a cast of the type specimen, the tail was represented in my original description of the species as being two feet longer than was actually the case. Report on the Batorder. . ANNANDALE N 1900. | ‘( 6 ‘ueurreds ad 4} Jo ydersojoyd) apepue uuy * S: oso uos ( A [—I ‘old bo No Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor. II, Since this was written three other specimens, including two males, have been taken in 24—27 fathoms off the Ganjam coast (March 1909). ‘The claspers of the male are remarkably short. The following are the measurements of two males and two females :— 2 (type) 9 o a Length of disk ee .+ £3775 Cm. 17010, cme 130;07ems 13574 ‘cm. Breadth across disk .. oe OSLO) Bn 2225 PL Ove See eEL OE Su 4, Length of tail be 3 SESQES Maan LAG LOU cee LOZ AM rmmmeL OER: fay Breadth of base of tail re BZ0:0nee it en Distance from base of tail to base of spine t. (O785 9G. L215 ee eT O a Breadth of nasal flap ae 16°75 .,, 1h 38 25 ee Distance between eyes rae aha te ZB Dis TOs 75 ep ZOiOn Length of snout from eyes ee eS eA OO 37°55, SOT Sie Length from mouth to vent : 83°75 55 87.50 From these measurements it is clear that the proportions are somewhat variable in this species, the relative lengths of the tail and the disk especially being very different in the different individuals. It is very unfortunate that the young one was not pre- served. This is ‘not only the largest species of the genus I have seen, but it differs from the other Indian forms in the shape oi the tail and in the fact that ail the denticles have stellate bases. The photograph reproduced on plate iv, fig. 1, is of the type, and was taken as soon as the specimen was brought ashore. It shows the peculiari- ties of the tail very clearly. The type specimen (skin and skull dried, mouth in spirit) is numbered F ?4}° in the registers of the Indian Museum. Trygon uarnak (Forskal). (PI. i, figs. 1, 2; pl. ii, figs. 1, 1a; pl. iii, fig. 2.) T. uarnak, Giinther, op. cit., p. 473. T. punctata, 7d., abid., p. 474 (young). Size large (over 157 cm. across the disk in large individuals, not less than 23 cm. in young). Colour in young white; the dorsal surface covered with large round or oval black spots ; the pectoral and pelvic fins edged with pink in life ; the tail boldly ringed with black. As the fish grows, the white ground of the dorsal surface gradually changes first to grey and then to pale brown, the spots become dark brown in col- our and coalesce in various ways to form larger spots or complicated figures. A similar change as regards colour takes place on the tail, but the dark rings remain distinct. There is often a dark margin to the ventral surface of the disk. Disk with the lateral angles broadly rounded ; the length, considerably less than the transverse diameter. In the young the broadest part of the disk is situated ata point not much more than half the distance between the base of the tail and the 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batovrder. 23 tip of the snout ; while in the adult this point is situated at nearly four-fifths of the distance. All the proportions of the disk, however, are variable. The angle of the snout is rather variable but in fresh specimens it is, as a rule, slightly less than a tight angle; in the unborn young it is, at any rate in some specimens, obtuse. The length of the snout, measured from the eyes, is about ; of the total length of the disk in the adult and between } and }in the young. ‘The outline of the front of the disk is somewhat sinuous in the adult but forms almost a simple concave curve in the young. A. 1B}, Fic. 2.—Diagram showing the difference in outline between the young (A) and the adult (B) of Trygon uarnak. Eyes large and prominent, especially in the young. The dorsal wall of the spiracle forming a convex longitudinal flap. Tail' more than twice as long as the disk, cylindrical, tapering, armed with a single rather slender serrated spine, which is situated much nearer the base than the tip of the tail. No cutaneous folds above or below. Skin tough. In the young there are as a rule several relatively large rounded tubercles in the mid-line of the scapular region, and these, although at first they are sometimes practically alone, are usually surrounded by smaller, heart- shaped, nearly flat denticles which have the narrower end pointing backwards. In the adult the middle of the back is somewhat sparsely covered with similar but relatively smaller denticles, with which are interspersed numerous small, spiny ones with stellate bases. These become more numerous on the posterior part of the disk and the base of the tail, which is completely surrounded by little almost granular denticles with the spiny denticles scattered among them. This arrangement is continued for the whole length of the tail. There are no denticles on the periphery of the disk or on the ventral surface, but those on the back do | In a large proportion of the larger specimens of the genus Tvygon the tail is mutilated ; it is often difficult to tell whether mutilation has occurred or not. 24 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor..1, not disappear abruptly as the bare area is reached, but gradually become smaller and form no definite outline to the area they cover. Mouth large. The jaws are almost straight. The teeth are large, usually more or less deeply tinged with brown in fresh specimens; in the back of the jaws, where they are not worn, each has two distinct transverse ridges, a secondary shorter one running parallel to the median ridge and in front of it. There are nor- mally four processes on the floor of the mouth, subequal in size, the two lateral ones being only smaller than the two median, and situated at about an equal dis- tance apart. A somewhat similar process projects into the mouth from the cuta- neous fold which covers the inner base of the teeth of the lower jaw; the fold which hangs down from the roof of the mouth is somewhat coarsely digitate. Two colour varieties of T. warnak can be distinguished— Var. a. Anterior part of the disk spotted in the adult, the spots combining on the posterior part into irregular blotches or figures. Var. b. The whole of the dorsal surface of the disk covered in the adult with an irregular network of dark lines, often with dark spots or streaks in the centre of the meshes. Var. a must be considered the typical form of the species as Forskal says in his original description ‘‘ tota maculata ’’ {Descr. Anim., p. 18, No. 16b, 1775). Var. 6 may be identical with 7. undulatus, Bleeker. According to Blyth it is identical with McClelland’s T. variegatus, but I have not seen any specimen on which the markings were so scanty and so open as they are represented in the figures published by the latter author (cf. Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, xxix, p. 43, and McClelland, Calc. Journ. Nat. Hist., i, p. 66, pl. 2, fig. 2). Day, judging from his description (Malabar Fishes, p. 277; Fishes of India, vol. li, p. 735 ; and Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, vol. i, p. 53), had seen the true T. warnak, but unfortunately his figure in the Fishes of India (pl. exciv, fig. I) represents not this species but T. gerrardii, a smaller and otherwise different species which has been con- fused with 7. warnak by several authors, notably by Muller and Henle (‘‘ Plagiosto- men,’’ p. 159, vars. I and 3). I have been able to examine a very large series (some hundred specimens) of this species, representing every stage between the unborn young and the adult over five feet in diameter. Specimens have been taken practically every trip by the “* Golden Crown,’’ but Dr. Jenkins tells me that large individuals are particularly abundant in about 30 fathoms of water off the mouth of the river Hughli on a muddy bottom. Trygon gervardu, Gray. T. gerrardi, Giinther, op. cit., p. 474. T. uarnak, Day, Fishes of India, vol. ii, pl. exciv, fig. 1. To describe this species it is only necessary to indicate the points in which it differs from T. waynak. Size moderate (largest specimen 67°5 cm. across the disk). Disk shaped and proportioned much as in the young of T. wavnak. , 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoidet. 25 Colour of the dorsal surface of the young brownish slate-colour without spots, the tail being banded with black and white ; the edge of the pectorals pale. As the fish grows, the colour darkens to a warm brown, and large, round, widely separated cream-coloured spots appear on the posterior part of the disk and on the pelvic fins. In still older specimens the ground colour darkens considerably, the cream-coloured spots become obsolete, and the banding on the tail disappears. The skin is tough as in T. warnak, but the arrangement of the denticles is quite differ- ent, at any rate in the adult. In the young they resemble those of the adult of T. uarnak, except that none of them have stellate bases or spiny processes. in adult and half-grown fish, however, they form a compact pavement-like surface. which occupies the middle of the disk from the head backwards and has well- defined limits, towards which they are little smaller than they are elsewhere. The outline of this surface resembles a wine-glass or flower-vase with the mouth directed forwards. On the tail this figure is continued, representing here the stem of the vase; but it ends, in front of the serrated spine, in a point. The denticles are confined to the dorsal surface of the base of the tail and do not extend either to the ventral surface of the basal part or beyond the spine on the dorsal surface. Mouth.—The central part of both jaws is practically straight, but on either side of it on the upper jaw there is a distinct concavity, corresponding to a similar convexity of the lower jaw. The teeth are nearly white ; a single stout transverse ridge runs across the centre of each (unworn) tooth, separating two equal convex sur- faces, each of which is strongly corrugated longitudinally. There are normally four processes on the floor of the mouth asin T. warvnak, but the two central ones are much stouter than the lateral ones and somewhat widely separated from them. Although I have not been able to examine so large a series of this species as I have been able to examine in the case of T. warnak, I have seen a considerable number of specimens. TJ. gevvardi is well represented in the collection of the Indian Museum and is commonly sold in the Burmese coastal markets during the winter months. A consider- able number of specimens was taken off the coasts of Burma, Chittagong and Orissa by the “‘Golden Crown’’ in the late summer and autumn of last year and in the winter of this. Apparently the species is only taken in shallow water, at any rate in winter. Trygon favus, sp.nov. (Pl. i, fig. 3; pl. ili, fig. 10.) Closely allied to 7. warvnak, from which it may be distinguished by the following characters :— Size moderately large (type ( 2 ) 130 em. across the disk). Disk very flat, with the pectoral fins even more broadly rounded than in 7. warnak, and the snout somewhat more produced ; its length about 32 in the total length of the disk. Eyes widely separated, small. Tai rather less than twice as long as the disk. Colour.—Dorsal surface very dark brown with a bold reticulation of dull yellow, which becomes less regular on the fore part of the disk than it is on the hind part. 26 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor sis A yellow spot or streak in the middle of most of the meshes of the reticula- tion. Ventral surface white. Skin devoid of denticles with stellate bases. Mouth large. Jaws as in T. gerrvardu. ‘Teeth white ; the transverse ridge feeble even on the unworn teeth. On the floor of the mouth there are two bluntly triangular processes with irregularly serrated margins and joined together by a similarly serrated ridge. I have only seen two specimens of this species, both females. They were taken together off the coast of Orissa in October by the ‘‘ Golden Crown.’’ In spite ot their striking coloration I was inclined to regard them as representing a variety of T. uavnak, until I came to examine the interior of their mouths and to analyse the measurements of both forms. Unfortunately only the two mouths and the skin of the back of one specimen could be preserved. One of the mouths, and this piece of skin, therefore, constitute the ‘‘ type,’’ which is numbered F 24}+ in the registers of the Museum. A good photograph of the specimen of which these relics have been kept is given onepljay figs: Trygon bleekert, Blyth. (PI. iii, fig. g.) T. bleeker1, Day, Fishes of India, vol. ii, p. 738, pl. exev, fig. 3; Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, p. 54. Size fairly large {adults 112—119 cm. across the disk). Disk slightly broader than long. ‘The snout narrow, acutely pointed, strongly pro- duced, measuring more than } of the total length of the disk and twice as long as the distance between the eyes. Colouy.—Dorsal surface dark brown, unspotted. Ventral surface in young white with a broad margin of dark brown. As the fish grows, this margin becomes broader and finally occupies nearly the whole of the disk. In some adult specimens a dis- tinct streak remains in the middle of the disk ; in others this is more or less obscured by dark blotches or disappears almost completely. There are no pale rings on the tail. Skin.—The scales closely resemble those of 7. geyvarvdii in structure and arrangement. Mouth.—Jaws distinctly undulated, the central part of the upper jaw forming a narrow, conical downward projection, and the lower jaw having a corresponding concavity in the middle. Teeth dark reddish brown, having a single transverse ridge, which is very distinct on the unworn teeth and divides them into two equal convex surfaces marked with longitudinal corrugations. On the floor of the mouth there are two long finger-like processes nearer one another than either is to the angle of the mouth but rather widely separated (pl. iii, fig. 9). This species is allied to T. gervardii (which it resembles in the nature and arrange- ments of its denticles very closely) even more nearly than it is to 7. wavnak. As re- gards the processes in the mouth the latter species seems to be at one extreme of a series of which T. b/eekeri is at the other. 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Keport on the Batoider. 2 A considerable number of specimens of T. bleekeyi were taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ”’ in October off the coast of Burma and Orissa. Most of the specimens I have seen have been females, as is also the case as regards T. warvnak. ‘The two species are often taken together. Both seem to be commoner in the northern parts of the Bay than off the Madras coast. This is especially the case as regards T. bleekev1, which, indeed, has not been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown’’ except in the north. Both species appar- ently prefer a muddy bottom. Trygon alcocki, sp. nov. Size considerable (adult female 85 cm. across the disk). Disk slightly broader than long, with the pectoral angles rounded ; the length from the maximum diameter to the tip of the snout contained about 24 times in the length of the disk. The snout pointed, forming approximately a right angle, by no means strongly produced but considerably longer than the interorbital dis- tance ; its length contained nearly 4} times in the length of the disk. U Fic. 3.—Outline of Trygon alcockw, x c. \. Tail nearly cylindrical but somewhat flattened above at the base, tapering, not twice as long as the disk, without cutaneous folds, bearing a single large spine. Colour.—Dorsal surface dark olive-brown with small, obscure, pale spots scattered all over the disk and the base of the tail ; the edges of the fins purplish ; the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the tail brown, without markings except at the base. Ventral surface (including base of tail) white, suffused with pink ; a rather broad purplish lateral margin marbled with white. 28 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vorld, Skin tough. The scales flat and more-or less rounded, differing greatly in size on different parts of the head and body, to which they are confined on the disk ; the largest occurring in a small patch behind the shoulder girdle ; those between the eyes and on the middle of the posterior part of the back and the base of the tail larger than those on the central part of disk, where they are so small and so deeply sunk in the skin that they are almost invisible in the fresh specimen ; the tail completely covered with flat scales except as regards the ventral surface of the part anterior to the spine ; this surface, the pectoral and pelvic fins bare. Mouth small; the jaws distinctly but not strongly undulated. The teeth white, with a single distinct central transverse ridge, larger on the upper jaw at the sides than in the middle, not occupying the whole of the exposed surface of either jaw. Two individuals were taken in a seine-net at Puri on March 21st during a short visit to the Orissa coast made by Dr. Jenkins and myself. One had already been cut up before the specimen could be secured, but the other ‘a female) has been preserved. It is the type of the species, and is numbered F 244+ in the books of the Indian Museum. This ray is distinguished from 7. jenkinsi by its flat scales, by its proportions, and by its coloration. ‘The difference as regards the last point is not, however, very marked, for the pale spots are faint and soon disappear in preserved specimens, while the coloration of the ventral surface was perhaps due to some extent to suffused blood. From 7. gerrardiu, T. alcockii is distinguished by its larger size, shorter and stouter tail, and differently proportioned disk, as well as by the fact that its spots are scattered on the anterior as well as the posterior part of the body. As regards the processes on the floor of the mouth in T. alcockit, I am not in a position to give a description of their normal characters, because in the one specimen I have examined they are markedly asymmetrical. I may say, however, that there are, in this specimen, four blunt processes situated at about equal distances from one another. One of them is much longer than the others. The type of the species was certainly mature and had probably just given birth to a young one as the nutritive filaments in one uterus were highly developed. Trygon jenkinsi, sp. nov. Size moderately large {adult male 103°75 mm. across the disk). Disk considerably broader than long. The pectoral angles rounded; the length from the greatest diameter to the tip of the snout 2} times in the length of the disk. The snout sharply pointed, not much produced, longer than the distance between the eyes, which are large and prominent ; the length of the snout con- tained 34 to 4 times in the length of the disk. : Tail cylindrical throughout, without a trace of a cutaneous fin, not much longer than the disk is broad, sometimes bearing two serrated spines, which are long and slender. Colour.—Dorsal surface reddish olive, becoming paler at the edge of the fins, without definite markings. The tail dark grey, mottled on the ventral surface with brown and white at the base. The ventral surface of the disk dead creamy white. 1900. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoider. 20 Skin fairly tough. A’ few enlarged rounded denticles in the scapular region followed posteriorly by a single row of stout, short, retroverted spines with flat bases, the row extending on the tail to the base of the anterior spine ; the middle of the back occupied by a pavement of small, flat, round scales, which gradually become smaller towards the periphery. The pectoral and pelvic fins naked ; the tail covered with small, bluntly spinous tubercles. Mouth.—Jaws feebly undulated ; teeth white, practically uniform in size, each with a low transverse ridge situated near the posterior margin and with a distinct trans- 02°92°D09 gp PP ° 95°02? EOS. 29° 502 Oo 2 0 009-0902 Sa Oo, 1006999 909 ack 920 , oe oO fo} © 099) 9 998 25°52. ° C Or SiokoO 45240) 0 So RADY 0 QeOrge30 580 ° ° ° 2. 20.95%? 000822900 20 ° 0% 0°80 Gace 00025 200 © "905 “55009 9 5 3° 00 oe Po © 5 Q0°S5 00 9) =e Oe 00 6? 2) ‘O‘co 0,0 0909S" "50 PK) o oe. ° O56 50° 2 Hoy 5° ° 0020.05,% 325 0,220 O 50% vio 9.0 ‘0° 0 00,5 °° FIc. 4 0200 95 Al a) Loesoe x. A. O2. / 29020 25° 229909 ge ° 90° 0 (00 0° @ 0°09, Oo ¢ o2078%0 ° 82,8°09%0D 0 90° 0Qe20 oO? 0% oo oo 0° 2°50 2, 2.0 0 oo O07 00o° 90° Oo. o°° ° ° 0025 65° o' ° o*6 09 fone) Fic. 4.—Outline of fresh specimen of T. jenkinsit, x c. 1, »» 4a.—Scales on the middle of the posterior part of the back of the same specimen, x I}. verse depression in front. Processeson the floor of the mouth four in number, re- sembling those of T. gerrardi but with the two central ones a little further apart. 30 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor ir, This species appears to resemble 7. akajei in several respects but to differ in size, in the proportions of the disk and tail, lepidosis and character of the teeth and jaws. Possibly it may be identical with Bleeker’s Tvygon dadong, but on the whole I think this improbable. Two adult males were taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ off the Ganjam coast in 23 to 27 fathoms in March, 1909. The type (dried skin, mouth in spirit) is numbered F 2475 in the Museum registers. To facilitate comparison I give the measurements of specimens of the six allied species, Trvygon uarnak, Trygon gerrarvdi, Trygon favus, Trygon bleekert, Trygon alcockai and Trygon jenkinsi together. The specimen indicated with a * was measured in spirit. ) Length Width Length Distance : A < Nasal Name of species. Sex. of of of between Snout. : : : flap. disk. disk; . >| tail. eyes. eee eee aa < oe SS =| oS | ee | | Trygon uarnak + | of I122°5 cm. | 150°0 cm. |321°25 cm. | 12°75 cm. | AARTO) Col, || SiS) Codi; | eee ; | | ae 5 5.0 Q TZO200 ola 2e5 ma |43°'79 my ass! ga || BEES, on. |) SERS ' Ae Re Se || 2 (GMA) B75) oc AOsO) eel GOsO) ss 2 aes 63255 55 a os ao ec: (Gis |) gag 5. ASPs cael |) Oye | pp PO) ag 4-5 3, 6°7 bryo). Trygon gerrvardu by. fc) G0) sn 67c5atee ATS OsONN ee SHO G5 |) OKO. 5 |) a0) Trygon favus (type) .. fo) TUS ONsy lleESOLOs ay) 12O7e5 aes + ZOO ay |) S0PAG) Trygon bleekert -- | fe) | seceP7G 55 ane oA lOeRS cay It GRAS). ho || WO 45 || REPS 5p 39 SiO a(jMV.) | 4iez5e, |) 240225. 5, 1 EGS75) -5,0ul| sO tan heres 5 ;0les Trygon alcockw (type). . Q FSO) | 55 S5rOmy sTOzss 1,1] 7505 of ato | 16 ee Trygon jenkinsi ie 3 78-7515, || LORw7s ee EKO:O) es SPE Sa BEA 55 225 op ~ i} 22 37 (type). ° of So°0 ry | 103°75 29 II2°*5 2) GPS) > 15°70 ” 20°O ” Trygon marginatus, Blyth. (PI. iii, fig. 2.) T. marginatus, Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, xxix, p. 38 (1861); Day, Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, p. 54. Disk broader than long, with the pectoral angles somewhat narrowly rounded. ‘The snout rounded as a whole, but sometimes with a short terminal projection ; length of snout 37 to 44 times in length of disk. Eyes small. Tail much longer than disk, without caudal folds. There is only one large serrated spine. Colour.—Dorsal surface grey, with a distinct blackish tint and without any tinge of brown. In the male a series of livid bluish marks of an irregularly crescentic outline runs round the disk at some little distance from the margin. Ventral surface white with a broad blackish margin laterally and posteriorly ; this margin sometimes indistinct. Tail blackish. 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batordei. 31 Mouth rather small ; the lower jaw more distinctly undulated than the upper, which is nearly straight. Teeth faintly tinged with brown. ‘The unworn teeth are dis- tinctly but minutely ridged longitudinally ; the transverse ridge is strong, and there is a well-marked concavity on the surface in front of it. ‘There are two short processes on the floor of the mouth, one situated near each angle. Skin.—The skin is delicate, but not so softas in T. microps. ‘The head and the centre of the back are covered with closely set, rounded, almost flat denticles, which on the tail are intermixed with stellate spines. On the back the denticles become Tipp, wy se Fic. 5.—Trygon marginatus, 3, x c. 7; (From stuffed specimen.) gradually smaller from the middle outwards and do not form a clearly defined figure on the area they occupy. Externally, on either side, some of them have stellate bases—a character which becomes more marked as regards those that occur on the pectoral fins, on which they show a tendency to be arranged in longitudinal lines. They extend to the margin and sometimes over it on to the ventral surface. This description is based on a large male taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown’’ in Octo- ber off the coast of Burma and a still larger female captured in March off the coast of 32 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vou. II, Ganjam in about 24 fathoms. Although they do not agree in every respect with Blyth’s description of the species I think these specimens must belong to it. Blyth’s specimens appear to have perished and there are no others, except the ones des- cribed, in the Indian Museum, or, indeed, so far as I can discover, in any other collec- tion. The measurements of my specimens were as follows :— Q of Length of disk 147°5 cm. 102°5 cm. Breadth of disk T7027 5a eB OF25) 5 Length of tail TOT eee ee ZO. Ee Length of snout from eyes OTe oie ASO) Te Distance between eyes 205 3. PA ee Nasal flap TOS25 ee. L520," ee Mouth to vent 96°25 ——_— Trygon wmbricata {Bloch and Schneider). T. imbricata, Muiller and Henle, op. cit., p. 164; Day, op. cit., p. 52. T. walga, Miiller and Henle, op. cit., p. 159, pl. 51 ; Day, op. cit., p. 55. Size small (adults 210—220 mm. across the disk, young g0-—100 mm.). Disk about as long as broad in the adult, broader in the young, always with the pec- toral fins broadly rounded ; the snout not greatly produced, occupying about one- third of the disk, forming an angle which is nearly a right angle ; its length from the eyes about 2 times the distance between the eyes. Eyes nearly as large as spiracles, not very prominent. Tail variable in length, sometimes barely as long as the disk, sometimes twice as long or even longer, proportionately longer in the young than in the adult. On either side there is always a thick but low ridge, while along the mid-dorsal line a narrow groove can generally be detected. Sometimes this groove contains a low fold, which is much lower than the tail and is more strongly marked on the distal half of the tail than it is on the basal, although it does not reach the tip. More rarely there is a corresponding fold on the ventral surface, but even when both are present they are low and inconspicuous. Asa rule there are two narrow serrated spines on the tail. Colour.—Ventral surface white. Dorsal surface of brownish clay-colour, occasionally with obscure darker spots and usually becoming paler on the edge of the fins. ‘The lateral ridges on the tail white. Skin.—The lepidosis is as variable as are the proportions of the tail, but the two charac- ters are not correlated. In many adult individuals the back and head (but not the pectoral fins) are covered with small flattened denticles which do not differ from one another markedly as regards sizeor shape. There are sometimes, however, several enlarged tubercles on the midline of the scapular region, while often a row of den- ticles bearing backwardly directed spines can be detected in the middle line at the posterior end of the disk and on the base of the tail. They vary insize and develop- ment. Sometimes, even in adults, the disk is almost naked. 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batorder. 33 Mouth.—The jaws are somewhat curved as a whole and regularly but not very strongly undulate. The teeth are small and white; the transverse ridge is low and _— Fic. 6.—Teeth of Trygon imbricata (enlarged). From preparation in canada balsam. somewhat irregular, the surface of the tooth posterior to it being decidedly con- cave. ‘There are two short processes on the floor of the mouth, occasionally with a minute papilla between them. They are situated much nearer to one another than either is to the angle of the mouth. At first sight the form described by Bloch and Schneider as Raja imbricata is very distinct from Miiller and Henle’s Tvygon walga. Indeed, so long as I had only examined a comparatively small series of specimens, I was prepared to regard them at least as distinct varieties. Recently, however, I have had an opportunity of ex- amining a large number of living specimens, among which I find every gradation be- tween the two forms. Shortness of tail is not invariably or even usually correlated with any peculiarity in the denticles, nor is the exact form of the disk correlated with either character. Every possible gradation is found between a distinct caudal fold and a complete absence of any such character. Nor is any one peculiarity peculiar to either sex. Except that the young has a relatively wider disk, a longer tail and a paler colour, and usually fewer denticles on the disk, than the adult, there is no ex- ternal difference between them, and I have seen two embryos from one mother which differed considerably as regards length of tail. T. imbricata appears to be, in the strict sense of the phrase, a littoral and estuarine species. Few specimens have been taken in water even so deep as 15 fathoms by the ‘“ Golden Crown,’’ but large numbers are captured in the winter season on the Orissa coast at Puri by means of seine-nets worked from the shore. The flesh is only eaten by the lowest castes of the Hindus. Trygon zuget (Miller and Henle). Size small (largest specimen 31 cm. across disk, smallest 8°5 cm.). Disk slightly broader than long ; the pectoral angles broadly rounded ; the greatest transverse diameter situated about half way between the base of the tail and the tip of the snout, which is sharply pointed and much produced, its length from the eyes being more than three times as long as the distance between the eyes. Eyes nearly as large as the spiracles. 34 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor. I J Skin smooth, richly provided with mucous glands. Sometimes a few rudimentary denticles can be detected on the posterior part of the disk and the base of the tail, but as a rule the skin is naked except for a single mid-dorsal line of large denti- cles with sharp spines directed backwards. Sometimes this line is only developed on the base of the tail, sometimes it extends from a point close behind the spiracles. Tail with low dorsal and ventral folds, which commence close behind the spine and run for about a third of the length of the tail; the tail from one-and-a-half to nearly three times as long as the body. Mouth broadly arched as a whole ; the jaws slightly sinuous. The teeth white. Each Fic. 7.—Teeth of Trygon zuget, ¢ (enlarged). ~ From preparation in canada balsam. in the male with a roundish base and a long, slender, tapering cusp, which ends in a sharp point ; in the female a triangular ridge takes the place of the cusp. Colour.—Dorsal surface dark blackish brown, no paler at the edge of the fins than on the middle of the disk. Ventral surface white, often blotched or suffused with dark pigment. Young paler above than the adult, with the edges of the pectoral fins black on both surfaces. P. zugei does not appear to be common in the northern parts of the Bay of Bengal but a few specimens have been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown’’ off the coasts of Burma and Orissa, as well as a considerable number (in February) off that of Madras. The photograph reproduced on plate iv was taken from one of the former while it was still fresh. The freezing to which it had been subjected, however, had caused the skin to shrivel a little. Trygon kuhli (Miller and Henle). Size small (male 30 cm. across the disk, female 32 cm.). Disk slightly broader than long: the pectoral angle rounded, the broadest diameter being considerably nearer the tip of the snout than the base of the tail. The snout 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoidet. 35 rounded, not produced, its length from the eyes not much greater than the dis- tance from eye to eye. Eyes very large and prominent. Spiracles narrow, ex- tending along the outer margin of the eyes. Tai considerably longer than the disk, armed with two or more ee slender ser- rated spines and bearing a long, well-developed ventral cutaneous flap and a much shorter dorsal one. Colour.—Dorsal surface pale slate-colour ornamented with a variable number of round, bluish, black-edged spots scattered irregularly, and sometimes with smaller black spots. Ventral surface white. ‘The proximal part of the tail rather darker than the ground of the dorsal surface of the disk, without markings ; the distal part boldly banded with black and white. Skin almost naked, sometimes bearing numerous minute rudimentary denticles on the tail and in the middle of the back. A row of large denticles with stout spines directed backwards sometimes present in the mid-dorsal line, but, at any rate in young individuals, not always present. Mouth.—Straight as a whole ; the jaws distinctly undulate. The teeth resembling those of P. zuger but with a considerably stouter cusp in the male. The nasal flap straight, fringed, with a longitudinal central groove on the surface. No specimens of this species have been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ in the northern part of the Bay of Bengal, but a large pair {@ , 2) and several smaller speci- mens were captured in February, 1909, off Gopalpur (Madras Coast) in 24 fathoms and a considerable number of specimens of different sizes off the same coast in March. Both P. zuger and the present species have a wide range, the former being distri- buted from the Arabian Sea to Japan, while the latter occurs not only in Japanese waters but also on the East Coast of Africa. Genus HypoLopnuus, Miiller and Henle. Distinguished from 7vygon by the form of its tail, jaws and teeth. Hypolophus sephen (Forskal). Trygon sephen, Day, Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, i, p. 51, figs. 21, 22. Size large (adult 152 cm. across the disk). Disk slightly broader than long, with the pectoral angles obtusely rounded; the broad- est transverse diameter widely separated from the anterior end of the disk. Snout forming an angle greater than a right angle; not produced. Eyes large and prominent. Colour.—Dorsal surface reddish brown in the young, bluish grey in the adult, without spots; the margins of the fins and the tail (except the base) darker than the centre of the disk. Tal.—Longer than disk in normal specimens, with a broad cutaneous flap running along the ventral surface from a point near the insertion of the serrated spine (or spines) for about one quarter of the length of the tail, its distal extremity being widely separated from the tip. Two serrated spines are usually present. 36 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor Skin tough. The head, back and base of tail are covered with closely set, flat or nearly flat denticles, usually with three or more enlarged tubercles in the scapular region. The tail is covered for the greater part of its length with small spiny denticles, which also occur scattered on the cutaneous flap. Mouth.—The jaws are bent almost angularly, this being particularly noticeable as regards the upper jaw, in the middle of which the teeth are smaller than they are elsewhere. The middle part of the upper jaw is deeply concave from below. The teeth are white ; their surface is nearly smooth and the transverse ridge is practi- cally obsolete. Where they are quite unworn, however, it is possible to see that the surface is divided into two areas; a posterior one, of which the outline is rounded and the surface obscurely sculptured, and an anterior one with an angular outline and marked with distinct longitudinal grooves. On the floor of the mouth there are three long slender processes situated close together in the middle, and another near each angle. This species represents the genus Hypolophus of Muller and Henle and is certainly very distinct from any other. I am doubtful as to the necessity for recognizing sub- genera in the fishes, otherwise I would certainly recognize Muller and Henle’s name as that of a sub-genus. There are several small specimens in spirit in the collection of the Indian Museum, but the only fresh one that I have seen was a male measuring 151°8 cm. across the disk which was taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ in August off the Burmese coast. This specimen exhibited an interesting abnormality, lacking the distal part of the tail completely. The cutaneous flap ran to the extreme tip, becoming gradually lower towards this point. The tail, however, was no longer than the disk, and I have little doubt that it had been accidentally abbreviated, although the wound had com- pletely healed without even leaving a scar at the tip. A photograph of this speci- men is reproduced on plate v, fig. 1. Genus UroGymnus, Muller and Henle. Tail very distinct from the disk, without a serrated spine. Disk stout, elliptical or sub- circular. ‘Teeth flattened, without a distinct transverse ridge but with the inner margin raised. Other characters as in 7rygon. Hitherto only one species of the genus has been known, namely Uvrogymnus as- perrimus {Bloch and Schneider), but a second is here described. Unfortunately I have only seen one fresh individual of the former, which was mutilated, and have not been able to examine the latter except as a stuffed museum specimen. The differences, however, are so very clearly marked that I do not hesitate to describe the new species. The two species may be distinguished as follows :— A. Pectoral fins covered with spiny denticles which have flat circular bases as a: Se .. U.asperrimus. B. Pectoral fins covered wlth small rounded denticles, which at the periphery are almost granular ne Uuleuion. 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoidet. 37 Urogymnus asperrimus {Bloch and Schneider). Disk slightly broader than long, broadly arched in front but with a somewhat pro- jecting snout, very thick vertically in the middle, sloping up abruptly from the anterior part of the pectoral fins to the top of the head. Tal longer than disk, sometimes with a low cutaneous fold on the ventral suriace. Colour uniform greyish brown on the dorsal suriace. Skin tough, very richly supplied with slime-glands. The head, back and tail are densely covered with prominent bony tubercles, among which are scattered numerous spiny denticles with more or less stellate bases. These are particularly numerous on the tail and on the superciliary part of the head. The pectoral fins are covered with spiny denticles which have smooth circular bases. In the dried skin the area on which the bony tubercles are present is clearly marked off from that occupied by the spines with circular bases, but in the fresh specimen the bases of all the scales are more or less completely concealed in the epidermis and in the enormous amount of slime with which the skin is coated. Mouth —The upper jaw is divided by a shallow concavity on either side into three nearly equal convex projections. The middle part of the lower jaw, however, is neatly straight, there being a slight concavity on either side. The teeth are of a dark purple-brown ; they are nearly oval (transversely) in shape and have the exposed surface minutely but deeply sculptured. On the floor of the mouth there are three long finger-shaped processes situated close together in the middle. The only specimen I have seen fresh was captured by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ in August, 1908, off Chittagong, but there are several stuffed ones in the Madras Museum. The one taken by the ‘“‘ Golden Crown ’’ had lost the greater part of its tail owing to what appeared to be a slanting cut from above as with anaxe. ‘The wound had, how- ever, healed. The following are the measurements of this specimen, which was a female :— Length of disk a 7 a ai 50 UP Gia; Diameter across disk o ¥: e Ooms Distance between eyes ae ce ae nine ESSE en Tip of snout from eyes 7 ee as ee Se seen Urogymnus levior, sp. nov. [Description of type (a stuffed skin) in the Madras Museum. | Disk broadly oval if the pelvic fins are included, almost as wide as long without them, truncated in front as a whole, but with a short projecting snout. Tail longer than disk, without cutaneous folds. Skin.—Dorsal surface of pectoral fins, head and anterior part of body covered with small, round, blunt tubercles, which become gradually smaller from the centre of the body outwards towards the edge of the pectoral fins, where they are almost granular. Behind the scapular region these tubercles are mixed with short spines, which have stellate bases and become more numerous on the base 38 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. IWoxa le of the tail, where they greatly outnumber the rounded tubercles and finally take their place altogether. The whoie of the tail is covered with spines of various sizes. Mouth.—Upper jaw more distinctly undulated than the lower. Teeth white, practi- cally lozenge-shaped. This specimen was taken near the shore at Malpe, S. Canara, on the Malabar coast. Mr. FE. Thurston has kindly given me the following note as to its history :— ‘‘T was summoned from the dinner-table to inspect the carcase of an immense skate, whose last act, as she lay dying on the shore, was to continue the species by bringing forth twelve young ones, who were promptly salted.”’ Genus PTEROP!ATEA, Muller and Henle. Disk very broad in comparison with its length, lozenge-shaped, flat. Pectorals united in front. Tail feeble, normally with a serrated spine, without a rayed caudal fin, a small rayed dorsal fin sometimes present. Teeth with a saddle- shaped base and one or more backwardly-directed, sharp cusps. No processes on the floor of the mouth. Nasal valves coalescent. Skin naked or nearly so. InN B. (C5 Fic. 8.—Teeth of Pteroplatea (enlarged): A, P. micrura; B, P. zonura; C, P. tentaculata. Day describes only one Indian species of this genus, but three are common in the Bay of Bengal, namely, P. micrura, P. zonura and P. tentaculata. ‘They may be dis- tinguished as follows :— 1. No dorsal fin. A. No tentacle on the posterior margin of the spiracle. Dorsal surface uniformly coloured in the adult ue fe P. mecrura. II. A small dorsal fin on the tail. A. No tentacle on the margin of the spiracle. Dorsal surface minutely dotted with dark green and boldly spotted with greenish yellow P. zonura. B. A small tentacle present behind the spiracle. Dorsal surface spotted and blotched with greenish yellow a: Al P. tentaculata. 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoidet. 39 In general form and structure all the species of the genus are very much alike. In the Indian species at any rate the structure of the mouth and teeth differs little. The mouth is nearly straight and bears no processes on its floor or cutaneous flap on its roof. ‘The teeth have been briefly described by several authors ; Gunther (Cat. Fishes, viii, p. 486) says that they are ‘‘ very small, uni- or tricuspid ’’; Muller and Henle describe them as ‘‘ mit 1—3 Spitzen ’’ (Syst. Beschr. d. Plagiostomen, p. 168) ; Jordan and Everman (Fishes of North America,i, p. 86) do not mention them in their account of the North American species. ‘They are so small in the Indian forms that it is 1m- possible to examine them properly without dissecting them out and mounting them for microscopic investigation. The figure reproduced on page 38 gives an outline of teeth of P. micrura, P. zonura and P. tentaculata. In the two latter species teeth with one cusp are mingled indiscriminately with teeth bearing two cusps ; but apparently in P. micrura all the teeth have one cusp. In the two former species the unicuspid teeth are much more numerous than the bicuspid ones. I have not detected any rudimentary denticles in the skin of the Indian forms. _The species of Pteroplatea are eaten by some castes of Hindus but rejected by others and by Mahommedans as being ‘‘ fish without fins.’’ Pteroplatea micrura {Bloch and Schneider). Size moderate (adult females 74-82 cm. across disk, males (?) smaller, young 16 cm.). Disk as a rule rather less than twice as broad as long, with the pectoral angles sub- acute in the adult, distinctly rounded in the young. The snout hardly projects at all, the anterior margin of the disk forming a very obtuse angle. The distance between the eyes considerably greater than the length of the snout measured from them. The nasal flap distinctly emarginate, delicately fringed. Tail variable in length, sometimes longer than disk, as a rule shorter, but always more than half as long, without dorsal fin or cutaneous folds; serrated spine usually present in the adult but absent or concealed in the young. Colour.—The dorsal surface of the new-born young is of a pale greenish grey pro- fusely covered with small, round, blackish spots and with more sparsely scattered and larger white ones. The ventral surface and the tail are white, but there isa row of relatively large, longitudinally oval, blackish spots on the dorsal surface of the latter. Soon after birth the spots disappear from the body, while those on the tail coalesce in pairs and grow round the greater part of the circumference of the tail. A white spot is, however, left in the middle of each of the double black ones on the tail. As the fish grows older the tint of the dorsal surface darkens to deep slate-colour or brownish grey, the spots on the back having completely disappeared before this happens although those on the tail become more distinct and more extensive with age. This species is more commonly captured by the methods employed by Indian fishermen than its two congeners, because it is mainly a littoral form. Large numbers of small individuals were taken at Puri in January and February practically on the beach. Day states, on the authority of Jerdon, that P. micrura grows to 6 feet across the disk (Fishes of India, ti, p. 741) ; but in the large series of specimens taken by the 40 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor. IT, ‘©Golden Crown ’’ the gravid females have measured less than 3 feet across the disk, while the adult males have all been smaller. The members of the genus are so closely allied that it is not improbable that a large species not yet described exists in Indian seas. Day refers also to a drawing in Sir Walter Elliot’s collection of an example covered all over with small brown spots. Probably the original of this draw- ing was a young specimen of P. zonura. P. micrura appears to be common off the coasts of Burma, Chittagong and Orissa at all seasons, but always to remain in very shallow water. Like its two Indian con- geners it is gregarious ; so far as can be judged from the specimens in the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ collection sent to the Museum, the shoals of the three species keep separate from one another. P. micrura is rather widely distributed in Indo-Malayan seas. Pteroplatea zonura (Bleeker). (PI. iv, fig. 4.) Size moderate (adult females 85 cm. across disk, males slightly smaller). Disk.—Proportions almost asin P. micrura. Nasal flap almost straight, barely fringed. Disk often with a distinct though short projection in front. Tail variable, often more than half as long as disk but probably never quite so long. Dorsal fin twice as long as high, about a third as long as the free part of the pelvic fins ; its anterior border situated slightly in front of the distal border of these fins. Serrated spine minute or absent. A low cutaneous fold sometimes present on the ventral surface. Colour.—Dorsal surface olive-green, minutely and closely speckled with dots of a darker shade, boldly marked with large round or irregular spots of greenish yellow and often joined together by irregular lines and blotches of the same colour, sometimes ocellate. In the. young the dark spots are paler and less numerous, while the spots are less irregular and have a brownish colour. The ventral surface is devoid of pigment. ‘Tail coloured like that of P. micrura. This fish is evidently common on the Orissa coast in depths of from 15 to 20 fathoms. Numerous individuals of both sexes have been taken there by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ at different seasons, especially in winter. I saw a young female taken in the seine-nets on the beach at Puri in February. The species was originally described from Java. Pteroplatea tentaculata (Muller and Henle). (PI. iv, fig. 4.) Size moderate (adult females 73 cm. across the disk). Disk a little less than twice as broad as long in the adult, more than twice as broad in the young ; the pectoral angles somewhat rounded in both. ‘The distance between the eyes as a rule nearly the same as (a little greater than) the length of the snout measured from them. The snout has a distinct though short projection. ‘The tentacle at the posterior angle of the spiracle is variable in length, always slender and pointed. Tail variable in length, as a rule less than half as long as the disk in the adult, sometimes with faint dorsal and ventral cutaneous folds. The dorsal fin about 1900. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batovrder. 41 twice as long as high, more than half as long as the inner edge of the pelvic fins ; its anterior border situated nearer the base than the distal end of the pelvic fins. Serrated spine minute or absent. Colour.—In the young the dorsal surface of the disk is of a greenish slate-colour, marked with irregular roundish spots of a dark brown, and with a faint and close reticulation of a paler shade of brown. ‘This reticulation separates closely set roundish areas of the ground colour. As the fish grows, the brown spots enlarge and assume a greenish colour, finally becoming dark olive and occupying the greater part of the surface. The faint reticulation disappears and large spots and blotches of yellowish green are developed. ‘The tail is faintly barred at all ages. The coloration of the adult, therefore, differs from that of the adult P. zonura, so far as the dorsal surface is concerned, in the absence of minute dark dots and in the faint markings of the tail. The ventral surface of the young is white, but in the adult it is marbled and clouded with dark pigment. This species is probably confined to water from. 15 to 30 fathoms deep. A con- siderable number of specimens were taken together in about 30 fathoms at the mouth of the Hastern Channel of the river Hughli in February, 1909. Others were taken off the Orissa coast in the autumn of 1g08, but never many at a time ; several were taken off the Ganjam coast in from 24 to 27 fathoms in March. The species probably is widely distributed in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Family TORPEDINIDZ. Naked Batoidei with a broad, flat, circular or elliptical disk. At least one dorsal fin usually present (absent in one genus). A honeycomb-like electric organ devel- oped between the head and the pectoral fins. Two genera of Torpedoes are recorded by Day as occurring in Indian seas, while a third has since been described by Alcock. ‘Two more are here added, one being new and the other represented by a species not hitherto recorded with certainty from the Indian Ocean. The following key will serve to separate the Indian genera :— I. Two dorsal fins on the tail. A. Eyes well developed. (a) Spiracles distinctly separated from the eyes... .. Torpedo. (a') Spiracles not distinctly separated from the eyes .. Narcine. B. Eyes degenerate. (a) Pectoral fins feebly developed fs 4 Benthobatis. II. One dorsal fin on the tail. A. Pectoral fins moderately well developed aes .. Astrape. B. Pectoral fins reduced externally to mere rudiments Bengalichthys. III. No dorsal fin its 8 a a .. Lemera. I include in this key the genus Temera because it will probably be found in Indian seas, having been originally taken at Penang. There is a very small specimen (of 42 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. IWorepdy T. hardwickii ?) in the collection of the Indian Museum, but unfortunately I have not been able to trace its history or provenance. ‘The specific characters of the only known species of the genus are so imperfectly recorded that I hesitate to identify the specimen, which is both immature and faded. Benthobatis is a deep-sea genus, but the relations between it and Narcine correspond so closely with those between my new genus Bengalichthys {which is a shallow-water genus) and Astrape, that I am obliged to discuss it at some length. Both the species and the genera of the family are in some cases closely related, and it is often difficult to distinguish between them unless fresh or well-preserved material is used. This is particularly the case as regards the genera Narcine and Torpedo. Stuffed skins of these forms are practically useless for purposes of identi- fication, unless the greatest care has been taken to preserve the natural features. The naked, glandular skin is particularly liable to become distorted, while the colour, al- though sufficiently permanent in spirit unless the specimens are exposed to a strong light, invariably darkens in skins, so that all the markings disappear. The ridges or processes on the roof and floor of the mouth form in some genera as useful a diagnostic character as is the case in certain genera of Trygonide, but one that can only be investigated properly by dissecting out the mouth. The Torpedoes do not appear to be used as food in India, at any rate habitually. Those caught in the seine-nets at Puri are invariably thrown away. Genus TORPEDO, Dumeéril. Disk distinct from tail, which is stout, bears a well-developed caudal and two dorsal fins and has a fold on either side. Pectoral fins well developed ; pelvic fins not joined behind the anus. Eyes distinctly separated from spiracles. Nasal valves con- fluent into a quadrangular flap. Teeth pointed, with a single cusp and a flat base ; cleft of mouth wide and U-shaped. Only one species has as yet been found in Indian seas, or at any rate definitely identified. I am much indebted to Mr. Boulenger for examining photographs of an Indian specimen of this species and confirming my identification. Torpedo marmorata, Risso. (Pls. iiia, fig. 4, and v, fig. 3.) T. galvanii, Bonaparte, Faun. Ital., vol. iii, Pesci, plate (1832-41). T. marmorata, Giinther, op. cit., p. 450. Disk broadly truncated in front, broader than long, rather longer than the tail. The latter very broad at the base. The dorsal surface covered with minute wrinkles, which run longitudinally on the anterior part of the disk and transversely on the posterior. The eyes nearly as large as the spiracles, from which they are sepa- rated by a distance less than their own diameter. ‘The posterior and lateral margins of the spiracles provided with a row of somewhat stout, irregular, conical processes. The mouth is situated between two deep, rather lengthy longitudinal folds, which approach one another posteriorly and diverge anteriorly. The teeth occupy nearly 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batordei. 43 the whole of the mandibular surface ; their cusps are long and very sharp, directed obliquely backwards. ‘There is a low cutaneous ridge behind the teeth on either jaw but no outstanding processes. Colour.—The colour is variable in European specimens ; in the three Indian ones I have seen the dorsal surface was of a peculiar livid dark purple-brown, densely spotted with purplish buff. These markings extended over to the ventral margin of the pectoral fins ; but the greater part of the ventral surface was dull white. The only specimen I have examined in detail is one brought by Dr. Travis Jenkins in December, 1908, from Puri, where it had been taken in a seine-net worked from the shore. In November of the same year, however, I saw a very similar specimen, which had been captured in the same way, at Quilon on the Travancore coast. Dr. Jenkins’s specimen measures (in spirit) 245 mm. across the disk, which is 227 mm. long ; the tail is 173 mm. long, the total length being thus 400 mm. ‘The specimen is a female and contained ripe ovarian eggs ; a good photograph is reproduced on pl. v, fig. 3. Genus NARCINE, Henle. Disk longer than broad, distinct from tail, which bears two dorsal fins and has a fold of skin along each side. Pectoral fins well developed ;_ pelvic fins not united behind the anus. Eyes close to the spiracles, well developed. Nasal valves con- fluent. Mouth tubular and protrusible ; its cleft narrow and straight. Teeth pointed, with a single cusp, which is directed backwards and in some species feebly developed. At first sight this genus is very near Torpedo, from which Gunther says that it ‘« differs in having the spiracles almost immediately behind the eye.’’ He also says that the teeth sometimes have a median point, which, however, does not project. I cannot, however, see any real difference between the two genera in respect to the teeth ; whether the ‘‘ median point ’’ projects or not is due to the position of the mouth and to the angle at which the teeth' are examined, while the absence of a median point is often due to its being worn away. So far as the Indian species are concerned, there is a very marked difference between the two genera in respect to the shape of the mouth, which in Torpedo is evidently capable of being widely opened, although it appears to be somewhat protrusible, while in Narcine it can be thrust out bodily as a tubular structure with a narrow, transverse, slit-like aperture. Narcine has long been known to be represented in Indian seas by two shallow- water forms, which Day regarded as mere colour varieties, while Lloyd has recently described a deep-sea species. I feel obliged to separate the two former from one another as distinct species for reasons given below. Here I may say that Lloyd’s N. mollis is closely related to the form I have described as N. brunnea, although clearly distinct from that form. It is distinguished by the uniform dark colour of its dorsal and ' In comparing the teeth of these genera great care must be taken to select teeth from the back of the jaws, where they have not been worn. Some of Duméril’s figures (Nat. Hist. Poiss., pl. xi) rather suggest that he did not adopt this precaution. 44 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. (Vor. Ii ventral surfaces, the flabby consistency of its muscular tissue, and the structure of the interior of its mouth and teeth, the cusp of the latter being very wide transversely and forming a flat triangle rather than a spine-like process. The Indian species may be recognized as follows :-— I. Dorsal surface spotted. Dorsal fins subequal ne ‘ N. timler. II. Dorsal surface brown ; ventral surface white. Dorsal fins sub- equal oy: : : .. NN. brunnea. III. Dorsal and ventral surfaces dark brown, unspotted. Dorsal fins subequal 2: ae =f = oes N. mollis. The eyes in all the Indian species are large, and the margins of the spiracles are smooth. Narcine timlet (Bloch and Schneider). (PI. iiia, fig. 1.) N. timlei and N. indica, Henle and Miiller, op. cit., p. 130. N. timlei, Giinther, op. cit., p. 452; Day, op. cit., vol. i, p. 45 (in part, not the figure) ; Fshes of India, vol. ii, p. 733 (in part). Disk variable in outline, sometimes regularly oval and only slightly broader than long, sometimes considerably narrower, sometimes with the pectoral fins projecting in such a way that it becomes, even in fresh specimens, almost rhomboidal. The tail strongly developed, depressed, nearly as long as or longer than the disk ; the two dorsal fins subequal, separated by about the length of one of them ; the posterior margin of the pelvic fins reaching or nearly reaching the anterior border of the first dorsal. Extent backwards of the pectorals variable ; sometimes they fall short of the anterior margin of the pelvic fins, sometimes reach it, and frequently overlap it. Colour.—Dorsal surface chocolate-brown (which sometimes turns to purplish grey in The preserved specimens) profusely marked on the back, lateral fins and tail with large spots of a dark purple-brown colour. In the young these spots are sur- rounded by rather indefinite pale rings, which sometimes persist in the adult, giving them an ocellate appearance. The posterior margins of the dorsal and caudal fins are somewhat broadly, the anterior margins narrowly edged with white. Ventral surface dead white, sometimes clouded with dark pigment in large individuals. mouth can be protruded as a depressed tube measuring, in the case of a large individual, 35 mm. in length, 15 mm. in transverse diameter at the distal extremity, and 8 mm. longitudinally. The teeth occupy about a third of each jaw ; they have long, narrow, acutely pointed inner projections, which (in the unworn tooth) are nearly as long as the transverse diameter of the bases. On the roof of the mouth behind the teeth there is a pair of irregular, distinctly separated, compressed vertical processes, and on the floor a similar pair; in both pairs the inner margins are emarginate on the basal half. ‘The nasal flap straight, very finely and shortly fringed, with a narrow, smooth stretch in the middle. 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Feport on the Batoidet. 45 Adult specimens measure about 34 cm. in total length and about 17 cm. across the disk.' Numerous specimens have been taken off the Orissa coast by the ‘‘ Golden Crown,’’ beach at Puri, where large numbers are caught daily in seine-nets worked from the shore during calm weather. Two points at once become clear as a result of the ex- and I have recently had an opportunity of examining many living ones on the amination of fresh specimens, (1) that it was impossible to separate Henle’s Narcine indica from N. timler, Bloch and Schneider, on the ground of the shape of the disk, and (2) that the specimens examined fell into two very distinct groups separated from one another not only by colour but also by size. As regards the first of these points, the variation in the outline of the disk is re- markably wide and does not appear to be correlated with any difference in size, sex, or coloration. It is due mainly to differences in the development of the pectoral fins, the rays of which vary greatly not only in length but also as regards their position on the body. Another point in which variation is very marked is the size of the eyes as com- pared with that of the spiracles. Occasionally the eyes are nearly as large as the spir- acles, sometimes they have not more than half the superficial area of these structures. The size and proportions of the dorsal and caudal fins are also variable. As regards the important question of coloration, variation exists as regards the size and regularity {or otherwise) of the spots on the dorsal surface, which in one set of specimens are always present. Day, in the ‘* Fauna’’ and in the Fishes of India, remarks that some specimens have no spots on the dorsal surface and that the absence of spots is not due to age, sex or locality. These statements are fully borne out by the large series of living and preserved specimens I have seen ; but I do not think that the two forms are specifically identical and have therefore been forced to describe the immaculate one as a new species. Unfortunately it is the one figured by Day as typical of N. timlez. Narcine timlei is very sluggish in its movements. I have failed repeatedly to induce it to give an electric shock even when it was in a bucket of sea-water. Narcine brunnea, sp. nov. (PI. iita, fig. 2.) N. timlei, Day, Fishes of India, pl. excii, fig. 3; Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, vol. i, fige lon pe 45. Closely related to N. timler, from which it differs in the following characters: (1) coloration, (2) size, (3) form of the teeth, (4) outline of the free edge of the nasal flap, and {5) form of the processes in the mouth. (1) The dorsal surface is of a warm chocolate-brown without spots, the ventral surface creamy white. A narrow margin of the latter shade runs round the disk, being more distinct anteriorly than posteriorly : the dorsal and caudal fins, as well as the lateral ones, are edged with greyish white. | Day’s statement that this species grows to at least 18 inches in total length (Fishes of India, vol. it, p. 733) 1s perhaps due to a confusion with some species of Torpedo. Judging from old specimens in the Indian Museum, such a confusion actually existed in his diagnoses. 46 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor ear (2) Large individuals of either sex measure about 22 cm. in length and 11 em. in breadth across the disk. (3) The posterior projection of the teeth is much shorter than the transverse diameter of the base, broader and blunter than is the case in N. timlet. {4) The free edge of the nasal flap has a distinct projection in the middle line. (5) On the roof of the mouth, behind the teeth, a cutaneous ridge with irregular serrations occurs, while on the floor there is a similar ridge, with or without a notch in the middle line, but never divided into two distinct processes. The difference in colour between this species and N. tmlet is constant in fresh specimens, although naturally difficult to detect in faded ones. The difference in size exists as regards the smallest specimens I have seen. There are in the Indian Museum, from different localities, seven examples of N. brunnea which measure between 55 mm. and 70 mm. in length, and between 30 mm. and 35 mm. across the disk. None of these specimens exhibits any trace of spots on the dorsal surface or retains any external rudiment of the yolk-sac. The smallest specimen of N. timle: I have seen was taken by the ‘Golden Crown’’ at the mouth of the river Hughliin January, 1909. It measures 80 mm. in length and 50 mm. across the disk and has numerous large ocelli on its dorsal surface. There is a yolk-sac 23 mm. long attached to the belly, and from the general appearance of the specimen I think that it was probably born prematurely. The structural differences between N. brunnea and N. timle: are of considerable interest, but they can only be seen distinctly if the specimens examined are dissected. Genus BENTHOBATIS, Alcock. This genus, which is known from several specimens of a single bathybial species, differs from Narcine mainly in the degeneracy of the eyes, a character of which no trace can be detected in the only known deep-sea species {N. mollis) of the latter genus. The teeth are not very different from those of some species of Narcine. Genus ASTRAPE, Muller and Henle. Tail with one dorsal fin. Eyes small but not markedly degenerate. ‘Teeth nearly flat, with a broad, backwardly directed ridge, which is very bluntly pointed. Mouth protrusible but not tubular, the cleft nearly straight. Other characters as in Nareine. Only two species of this genus are recorded by Gtinther: Astrape capensis, from the coast of S. Africa and Madagascar, with the tail distinctly shorter than the disk, and A. dipterygia, from the seas of India, China and Japan, with the tail and disk of about the same length. Astrape dvpterygia {Bloch and Schneider). (PI. iiia, fig. 6.) A. dipterygia, Day, aun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, p. 46, fig. 19. Disk longer than broad, of approximately the same length as the tail, somewhat truncate in front. The pectoral fins well developed, especially posteriorly, thin 1900. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoidei. A7 and distinct from the trunk. Eyes about half as large as the spiracles, pro- tuberant in life, separated by a concave interspace about half as long as their distance from the anterior border of the disk. Margins of spiracles smooth. Mouth surrounded posteriorly by a semicircular fold, about half as wide as its distance from the anterior border of the disk, provided with thick, tuberculate lips, which are discontinuous in the middle of the anterior border. Teeth occupy- ing nearly the whole of the mandibular surface, with a broad, bluntly pointed transverse ridge. A bilobed, prong-like, vertical process on the roof of the mouth and a similar one on the floor. Nasal flap with a distinct median longitudinal groove and a median process on the free edge. Colour.—J)orsal surface dull chocolate colour with a purplish tinge. Ventral surface, edge of disk and fins, a large oval spot on each side of the back some distance in front of the posterior margin of the pelvic fins, and a forwardly directed streak on each side of the anterior part of the tail, cream colour. This species exhibits much the same variation as Narcine timlet and N. brunnea in respect to its fins. It has been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ in considerable numbers off the Orissa coast and appears to be common all over the Bay in shallow water. It is not so common as N. timlei and N. brunnea, however, and perhaps inhabits slightly deeper water. 4 large specimens measure 16 cm. in total length and 9 cm. across the disk. Genus BENGALICHTHYS, gen. nov. Closely allied to Astrape, from which it is distinguished by its thick, fleshy disk, rudimeutary pectoral fins, and degenerate eyes. I think it well to separate a form represented by two individuals in the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ collection from A strvape as a distinct genus, in order to emphasize the peculiar manner in which this form has become adapted for a more or less sedentary existence. In several respects the adaptation is of a nature closely similar to that which has brought about the evolution of Benthobatis from Narcine, although the environment in which this evolution has taken place is not the same in the two cases. Benthobatis, as I have already pointed out, is a deep-sea form—it occurs at depths from about 400 to about 700 fathoms—and, like many deep-sea forms, has degenerate eyes. The disk, moreover, is thick and muscular and bears on the dorsal surface numerous little glandular pits ; the pectoral fins are not clearly marked off from the body. In all of these points the species of Bengalichthys to be described immediately resembles Benthobatis, although it is not a deep-sea form, having been taken in only 15 fathoms. In two striking characters, however, it differs from Benthobatis, viz., in coloration and in the number of the dorsal fins. The former difference is probably due to its environment, the latter to its ancestry ; in other words, the former is an adaptive character, the latter a morphological one. Acharacter common among deep-sea fish of all kinds is a dark and uniform coloration of both the dorsal and the ventral surface, while among the rays of shallow water it is unusual for the ventral surface to be dark, although this is the case ” 48 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor In, in a few species. The only known species of Benthobatis has a dark ventral surface, the only known species of Bengalichthys a pale ventral surface. The genera of the Torpedinidee, on the other hand, fall naturally into several groups separated by the number (or absence) of their dorsal fins. Benthobatis belongs to one of these groups, Bengalichthys to another. There can be little doubt, therefore, that the two genera have not had the same ancestry but have become like one another owing to parallel or rather convergent lines of evolution. Although Bengalichthys does not live in the dark abysses of the sea, we may suppose that its mode of life is very similar to that of Benthobatis. Neither can be a poweriul swimmer, but both, judging from the manner in which the muscles of the disk are developed, must be powerful wrigglers and squirm- ers. It must be remembered in this connection that the flabbiness of the flesh ({7.e., the muscles) of deep-sea fish which have been brought to the surface is mainly an artificial condition,’ not one that would be apparent if it were possible to examine the fish in their natural environment. Now, quite apart from the question of the depth at which a fish lives, it is quite clear that eyes may be inconvenient to an animal which wriggles about in the mud at the bottom of the sea, and I have little doubt that both the fish under discussion live in this way, perhaps actually burrowing into the mud, through which the movements of their disks assist them to make their way. Their mouths, like those of their nearest allies in both cases, are feebly developed and probably suctoria! in function. Neither they nor their allies can attack large organisms of any kind, and it is clear that their electric organs must be weapons of defence rather than offence. Perhaps both Benthobatis and Bengalichthys have become more perfectly adapted for obtaining their food by sucking it from the mud owing to the degeneracy of cer- tain organs that are of no use for this particular purpose. Bengaiichthys impennis, sp. nov. (PI. itia, fig. 7.) Disk stout and muscular, pear-shaped, the broader end being in front ; the anterior margin broadly convex ; the length about the same as the maximum transverse diameter. Numerous white glandular pits are present on the dorsal surface, on which they are arranged in much the same way as on that of Benthobatis mores- byi. Pectoral fins consisting externally of a fringed ridge 2—3 mm. broad near the edge of the dorsal surface of the posterior half of the disk. Tail stout, longer than the disk; the caudal fins rounded posteriorly ; the dorsal small, situated about half-way between the posterior border of the pelvic fins and the caudal. The pelvic fins distinct from the disk and apparently situated on the sides of the tail. Colour.—Dorsal surface of disk and tail deep buff clouded with dark brown. Ventral surface, margin of disk and fins, a large oval spot on each side of the back in front of the root of the tail, a forwardly directed streak on each side of the tail, in front 1 ‘The muscles of Torpedo marmorata, however, which is not a deep-sea fish, are much more flabby than those of any species of Narcine (except Narctne mollis), Astrape or Bengalichthys with which I am acquainted. 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Keport on the Batordev. 49 of the dorsal fin and a backwardly directed streak on the base of the disk at either side, cream colour. Eyes minute, deeply sunk, colourless, close to the spiracles, which have smooth edges. Mouth closely resembling that of Astrape dipterygia externally ; the teeth with the triangular transverse ridge somewhat more pointed than in that species. A some- what narrow, long rectangular process on the roof of the mouth, directed back- wards rather than vertically downwards, and having its distal edge sinuous but not bilobed ; a similar but smaller process on the floor of the mouth. * Ly Wy ~~ ayy YY Fic. 9.—Bengalichthys tmpennts, nat. size: p. = pectoral fin. This species is represented by two specimens (a male and a female) taken by the ‘* Golden Crown ’’ in about 15 fathoms of water in Balasore Bay on the coast of Orissa in October, 1908. The following measurements are taken from the specimens after preservation in spirit :— : 3 Total length ote ys 3 pak 75.0 mum. 1250) mm. Length of disk .. 3 ig Been OUO1 5, 6O9"OMne 50 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor or Length from anterior border of anus to anterior border of 3 Q disk Se oe ast ; .. §6°0 mm. 59°0 mm. Length of tail xe ae WT: ac NSOI0% 54. 125 510mr. Maximum width of disk te a Be AO fy eS OROm se a thickness of disk .. aE i. 2 2500 wis de 450uee Distance between the eyes aS * G:0seee BPS ere ,, from eyes to anterior border of dice ep 2 Onn Ere eel 70 see Height of dorsal fin ets ve Le TPO) (Capea: Length of dorsal fin a os oF TOs OO) 5 Owing to the strong muscles of the disk, it is liable to undergo great changes in shape ; the two specimens I have examined exhibit this very clearly. The degene- racy of the pectoral fins causes the disk to terminate, when viewed from above, some little distance in front of the anus. The mouth, as in Astvape, is to some extent protrusible, but cannot be thrust out bodily as a tubular structure like that of Narcine. The number of the type (® ) in the Museum register is F. 24°". Family MYLIOBATID. Head distinct from disk, with a prominent snout or a pair of processes on the front of the head supported by two groups of cartilaginous jointed rays (cephalic fins) ; skull rectangular and box-like. Teeth flat, rectangular and pavement-like, large. Disk wide in proportion to its length. Tail long and thin, with a dorsal fin at its root, with or without a serrated spine. Taking into consideration the great differences between the skull and teeth of the ‘‘ Myliobatina’’’ and the ‘‘ Ceratopterina,’’ I think it as well to follow Miiller and Henle, and also Jordan (Guide to the Study of Fishes, vol. i, pp. 551, 559, 1905), in regarding them as distinct families, although I have not adopted the American name ‘‘ Mobulide’’ for the latter group. The Myliobatide, if this view be accepted, consist of the genera Aiunoptera, Myliobatis and Aétobatis, each of which is represented by at least two species in Indian seas. Of Rhinoptera I have only seen the skeleton and teeth, and I do not, therefore, propose to discuss its Indian representatives. Of Mylobatis and Aétobatis, however, the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ has obtained large numbers of specimens, which have afforded invaluable material for the elucidation of several doubtful points. The three genera may be distinguished by the following characters :— I. Head provided with a pair of distinct rayed appendages (cephalic fins) on the ventral surface. Teeth tesselated, in five or more series, the central one being the broadest and the others decreasing in breadth from within out- wards .. : “if .. Rhinoptera. II. Cephalic fins Be cena in muscle aa skin to Fone a single more or less conical snout. 1go9. | N. ANNANDALE: Keport on the Batorder. 51 A. Teeth in a single broad series : Aétobatis. B. Teeth in several series, of which the eral ones are much narrower than the central one a B: .. Myliobatis. Genus MYLIOBATIS, Cuvier. This genus is sufficiently defined in the description of the family and the generic key printed above. At least two species occur in Indian seas and have been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown,’’ namely, M. meuhofit and M. maculata. A new variety of the former is described below. Mylhobatis nieuhofi2z (Bloch and Schneider). Size moderately small (adults 42—64 cm. across the disk, young about 15 cm.). Disk considerably more than twice as long as the distance between the mouth and the vent, the index iS ae oer varying from slightly over 37 to slightly over 43, but usually being between 40 and 41. The pectoral fins acutely pointed , their anterior margin nearly straight, their ee meee broadly concave. Snout (measured from anterior borders of skull) js to =) as long as the distance between the mouth and vent and from } to #2 as leas as broad at the base, not sharply pointed. Tai much longer than disk, without a serrated spine. The dorsal fin arises nearer the base of the pelvic fins than their distal margin and does not reach, or barely reaches, the level of that margin posteriorly. Colour.—The fresh fish has the dorsal surface of a bright greenish golden colour with five broad cross-bars of a darker and more livid shade across the disk, and two across the head. Not only do these markings disappear in spirit or even in ice, but they are very superficial, and any rough handling causes the tissues which contain them to be rubbed away. The ordinary spirit specimen of the adult has the dorsal surface of a dark slate-grey. ‘The cross-bars are more conspicuous in the young and remain visible longer in spirit. ‘The ventral surface is white. Skin soft and at first sight naked. The back, however, is more or less completely covered with minute, star-shaped denticles buried in the skin and sometimes ex- tending on to the ventral surface. They can usually be felt by drawing the tip of the finger across the back of the disk. Mouth nearly straight. The teeth truncate in front and not projecting from the jaw. Their proportions are very variable and the number of series of smaller teeth at the sides of the broad central one is not always the same on the two sides of one jaw. The nasal flap is always straight. As this is one of the most variable species with which I am acquainted, I have examined and measured a large number of specimens with the greatest care. The first result of this examination was to prove that two forms of the species existed side by side, one with the area immediately above the orbits smooth, the other with a 52 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vorvits definite ridge running along the upper limit of each orbit and produced in front into a short, horn-like structure measuring in adult specimens from 2—4 mm.in length. I cannot detect any other peculiarity that seems to be correlated with the presence of this horn, and Capt. Lloyd tells me that horned and hornless individuals are taken together in the same haul of the trawl. 1 therefore propose to name the horned form Myliobatis nieuhofii, var. cornifera, var. nov. (PI. ii, fig. 4.) The presence or absence of horns has been considered a specific character in other species of the genus, but Jordan and Snyder‘ suggest that these structures are decidu- ous in a Japanese species (M. tobijei). This is not the case as regards the Indian species. In an embryo in the collection of the Indian Museum which measures 115 mm. across the disk, the horns are already apparent, but they are absent from several other em- bryos of about the same size; unfortunately I have not been able to obtain a gravid female of the variety cornifera. In some halt-grown and old specimens they are absent, in others present. In some horned individuals the denticles on the back are rather more strongly developed than is usually the case in the typical form. The hornless form is much commoner than the horned one, but the latter is not rare. Both have been taken in large numbers off the coasts of Orissa, Chittagong and Burma, and less abundantly off the mouth of the Ganges. Apparently the species prefers a rocky bottom, on which it is possible that it finds more food in the way of molluscs. Its diet is not confined to molluscs, however, as both fish and prawns have been found in its stomach. ‘These are swallowed whole and are not crushed by the teeth. The following measurements are interesting as illustrating the variation that occurs as regards the teeth in this species :— : ; Number of small teeth. Measurements of central tooth. No. | Breadth ot teeth of upper jaw. = = SSS Left. Right. Breadth. Length. I 20°0 mim, 3 3 135 mm. { 2°25 mm. 2 LOLOn se 2 3 1 EXO) 5, PFA } ey), 5 3 3 12:0 , 1S. 2p 4 16/0) 3-4 2-3 I1‘0 Uy) ie 5* TOSS 2 3 T2720" wee 225 Man 6 WZ) 5 3 : 3 Ws) s T2555 7 23°01 3 2 TRO mene, 370 > 8 I7'0 2 3 TOYS ers ro ) 9 I4*O) %, 3 3 LOS) 55 BOIS 10 AGO. Bie 3 3 20,08 22 ' Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., xxiii, p. 338 (1900). 19090. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoidet. 53 } bat] =a mo age | 7 ay Re ena of teeth Spuope: Number of small teeth. Measurements of central tooth. jaw. a he = = Lett. Right. Breadth. Length. Lr* | 19°5 mm. 3 3 12°5 mm. r'5 mm. Toe | 18-0 ,, 4 3 ya IST PO) op 13 a ONE 2 2 17-0 B50) ap 14 | 20:0)" ., 3 3 WSO) 5p 1271S). 2 The numbers marked with a * refer to the specimens of the variety cornifera, the remainder to those of the typical form of the species. The measurements printed above show how little reliance can be placed on exact relative proportions in diagnosing the species of the Myliobatide. Paleontologists in particular have attempted to separate the species of Myliobatis and even A étobatis by examining the relative length and breadth of the teeth. Of one species only (WV. mieuhofit) have I been able to examine a series of adult teeth. The measurements speak for themselves. So far as the other Indian representatives of the family are concerned, most of the jaws I have examined have been those of immature specimens. So far as evidence founded on such specimens goes, however, there is every indica- tion that variation is no less wide in the allies of AJ. meuhofit than it is in that species. Myhobatis maculata, Gray and Hardwick. This species may be distinguished from WW. niewhofit by (1) its large size, (2 its coloration, (3) the arrangement and nature of its denticles, and /4) the shape of the snout. (1) The size of the adult appears to be nearly twice that of the adult of MW. niewhofir. (2) The young {which are often as large as the adult of the other species) have the dorsal surface of a deep bronze or greenish grey colour with rather large bluish spots scattered profusely on the posterior part of the disk. These spots are a sign of immaturity, although exactly the contrary is the case as regards A étobatis punc- tata. Theadult WM. maculata has the back of a uniform dark slate-grey. (3) The most conspicuous feature of the scaling in this species is a longitudinal band, consisting of several closely adjacent rows, of flat denticles situated on the mid-line of the scapular region. The small star-shaped denticles in the skin of the back are also as a tule better developed in M. maculata than in M. mewhofir. (4) The snout in M. maculata appears to be decidedly more prominent than it is in M. meuhofii, but this is largely due to the fact that its sides form a more acute angle. I have seen comparatively few fresh specimens of this species, and only one that appeared to be an adult. It was taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ off the Orissa coast, 54 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Voy. II, but unfortunately only the head and tail were preserved. The teeth of the upper jaw measure 28 mm. in transverse diameter, but there is some evidence to show that the mouth is relatively smaller in this species than it is in M. meuhofi. Judging from the analogy of the few young examples of WW. maculata I have examined in detail, the adult specimen (a female) must have measured about 78 cm. across the disk, but in making this statement I take it for granted that there is little difference in propor- tions between the adult and the young of the species. I have not seen any specimen of M. maculata with a superciliary horn,’ or of either of the Indian species of the genus with a caudal spine. Genus A#ropatrs, Muller and Henle. This genus is separated from Myliobatis by the character of the teeth. In all the specimens I have seen those of the lower jaw project from the mouth in the form of a plate with parallel sides and an obtusely pointed tip. The nasal flap in these specimens is deeply emarginate. Day says that the tip of the lower tooth-band is sometimes broken off and that the free edge of the nasal flap is then straight as it is in Myliobatis (Fishes of India, ii, p. 743), but it isclear from specimens named by him that he confused A étobatis guttata with Myliobatis maculata in some cases. Great confusion still exists as regards the species of A éobatzs. Most recent authors, following Giinther (Cat. Fishes, viii, p. 492), recognize only one species, namely A. narinart. but at least two distinct forms occur in Indian seas and it is clear that neither is the same as the American and African species. As regards the last point, there is of course no positive proof that there are not two forms (or even more) in the Atlantic Ocean {one or more of which may be rare), as there are in the Bay of Bengal. But figures published by Dumeril (Arch. Mus., x, pl. 20, Paris, 1861) and by Jordan and Everman (Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 47, vol. iv, pls. 37 and 38, Ig00) represent a species which differs in at least two characters— namely, the shape of the snout and coloration—from any Indian specimen I have seen. Dumeril shows, moreover, that the adult of the form he called A étobatis latirostris, the type specimens of which came from the mouth of the Gaboon, does not differ mate- rially from the young as regards coloration. Jordan, who examined specimens from Florida (Guide to the Study of Fishes, vol. 1, fig. 349, 1905) as well as from the West Indies and Mazatlan (Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 47, vol. iv, p. 2753) and found no difference between them, decided with Everman that ‘‘ this species ’’ [7.e., Aétobatis laticeps, Gill] ‘‘ is probably not different from A. narinara ee cece There is little doubt that A élobatis laticeps, Gill, is a synonym of A. Jatirostris, Duméril, while Euprasen (Kong. Svens. Vet. Akad. Nya Handl., xi, p. 218, 1790) says regarding the species he described as Raja narinavi :—‘‘ Habitat in India occidentali, juxta Insulas Caribeeas, in portu Carenage Insule St. Bartholemei.’’ The figure ea ae i a oe ‘ me 6 a0 In a half-grown specimen taken in a seine-net on the beach at Puri in March there is a distinct but low rounded eminence on either side just in front of the eye. 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batorder. 55 (pl. x) accompanying the paper from which this quotation is taken is by no means accurate but shows the white spots extending as far forwards as the spiracles and, moreover, represents the snout as exceedingly short. It seems indisputable, therefore, that the name Aétobatis narinari belongs to the American form, which there is every reason to think was redescribed by Duméril as A. lativostris and by Gill as A. laticeps. For the common Indian form, on the other hand, the name d. guttata (Shaw)' is available. There is, however, a second Indian form, much rarer than the first in the Bay of Bengal, which, in Mr. Boulenger’s opinion, is identical with Bloch and Schneider’s Raja flagellum, and corresponds very closely with the description of that species given by Muller and Henle {‘‘ Plagiostomen,’’ p. 180). I therefore recognize the following species in the genus: A étobatis narinari (Euprasen), A. guttata (Shaw) and A. flagellum {Bloch and Schneider). Possibly others exist. Fic. 10.—Heads of Aétobatis: A, A. flagellum ; B, A. guttata; C, A. narinari (enlarged from Jordan and Everman’s figure). ' See Shaw’s General Zoology or Systematic Natural History, vol. v, part ii, p. 285 (1804). Shaw did not distinguish the Atlantic from the Oriental species, and his figure of ‘‘ Raja guttata ’’ is quite indefinite; but as he clearly meant to include the common Indian species in his description, his name may stand. 56 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vore ai, Granted that there are three species of Aétobatis,' 1t is necessary to inquire how they can be distinguished from one another. If only dried specimens are examined, the diagnosis is very difficult, if not impossible, and as regards the Atlantic form I am wholly dependent on published figures and descriptions. The following table gives the differences that are apparent from careful examination on the one hand of these figures and descriptions and on the other of fresh specimens of the Indian forms :— Character. A. guttata. A. narinart. | A. flagelium. Snout .. | Conical, bluntly pointed, | Rounded at the tip, much | Pointed, straight, much distinctly retroverted, at | broader at the base than, longer than broad at the least as broad at the} long, straight (?). base. | base as long. Coloration of dorsal | Uniform dark slate-grey | The whole disk including | Disk in the adult of a surface. in the young, ornamen-| the head covered with | uniform dark greenish ted with bluish spots, whitish spots both in the | bronze colour, without which are confined to| young and the aduit. spots. the posterior haif of the disk in the adult. Size .. | Diameter of disk in adult | Diameter of disk? in adult | Diameter of disk in adult 3 at least 125 cm. Q 51 cm. | oo 47 cm. Habitat .. Tropical parts of the In- | Bothsides of the Atlantic ; | Red Sea, Bay of Bengal. | dian Ocean. Gulf of Guinea, Amer- | ican coast as far north | as Virginia, West Indies. Aétobatis guitata (Shaw). Size considerable {adult male 125 cm. across the disk). Disk shaped much as in Myliobatis nieuhofii, but quite naked. Tau much longer than disk, always bearing at least one serrated spine, often two, sometimes three. Colour.—Dorsal surface of young of a uniform dark slate-grey, without a trace of spots. The spots on the disk of the adult are confined to the posterior half. They are of a bluish tint and are edged with a faint greenish halo. Their size varies considerably. The ground colour of the back of the adult has, in fresh specimens, a beautiful greenish refulgence. This is a very common species in the Bay of Bengal and, like Myliobatis niewhofit, is evidently gregarious and probably also migratory in habits, at least while it is young. ‘Tam much indebted to Messrs. Boulenger and Tate Regan for examining a photograph and draw- ings of Indian specimens of 4 étobatis and for comparing them with the original figures of 4. flagellum, which I have not been able to consult. » Gilbert and Starks (Mem. Calif. Acad. Sct., iv, p. 18, 1904) give the width of the disk of a speci- men from Panama Bay as 615 mm. but do not state its sex. 1909. | N. ANNANDALE: Report on the Batoidet. 57 Adults are seldom caught even in the trawl and may be solitary. I have only seen one large specimen, which was taken off the Orissa coast. Its measurements are given below. Aétobatis flagellum (Bloch and Schneider). (PI. iv, fig. 5.) A. flagellum, Muiiller and Henle, Syst. Beschr. d. Plag., p. 180. The differences between this species and the preceding one are noted in the table showing the specific characters of the three species of the genus. I have not been able to discover any other points that call for notice. Perhaps the tail is longer in propor- tion to the body ; but in most large specimens of Myliobatidz the tail is mutilated. Muller and Henle’s description is accurate, as is always the case in the work of these authors, whose monograph, in spite of the fact that it contains a certain number of specific descriptions that refer actually to the young stages of forms described as distinct, is still by far the most reliable guide as regards the identification of the Oriental Batoidei. A. flagellum is apparently rare in the northern part of the Bay of Bengal. I have only seen two examples, a male taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ off the Orissa coast in November, and a severed head brought from the mouth of the Chilka Lake on the same coast in December by Dr. Jenkins. Measurements of Indian species of Myliobatis and Aétobatis. ‘Breadth | Species. Sex. set Bene e | Nasal flap. | of snout pope Ce | Tail. at base. | | | | | —— Mylhobatis nieuhofir .. fe) 470mm. | Igo mm. 36x2I mm. 51mm.) 23mm. Broken. re oo ae fal 8540s TA Sane Sosa? os NEY op 25a 563 mm. “5 56 ae °) 600 ,, 2S as AISA, og WS). ae AOMe Broken. *6 rt ae G 540, 2/2. | FA OFX 2 OS Ones 32 5 ; a 360 ,, 1710) ADE py Lon BS os 505 mm. Fe “a at Co} Geilo 5 205 35X19 ,, 0) Aste ip Broken. ss 5H a fe) BYIO)) oe TSS yess |RSODL a oe AZ | 25 cS 2) ms a 6400s |-200) 4 45X23 500. 40 ,, | 555 mm. M. nieuhofit var- corni- & AZ OM 165, BRS) can NG pe A) oe 560 fera. > » 9 ; $ 445 168 35 X 20 45 27 620 5 D a 390 135 25 x 20 40 21 685 95 5 55 2 416 153 82 Rye AO 20 o10 58 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. | Vou. II, 1900. | Measurements of Indian species of Myliobatis and Aétobatis—Contd. { > || Species. Dex. pie | panes | Nasal flap. een ance o | Tail. | at base. | | | M. maculata so |) GF (jena) | 360 mm.) 140 mm. }28x18mm. 4imm.| 26mm.)| 905 mm. 95 So (cao) 8040s TAC ieee 27 al OS OEE | 20ee SSAumee > oy CMC a5) BOS. A'S ears As) easy 55 STAM Sel al s24 eee lle OLaee Aétobatts guttata a0 |) Ge (fate) | oy? oo Shas WO)521@) 54, | 25) its} 5 570 ,, a ; an |) ORE os 100, 20 x 10 0) 9 30 5, |2,150_,, » 55 a3 3 1,250 A. flagellum 36 if AZO) ss ANS on OSS bp 11 52 op GSI 985 ,, In a future report on the Selachians of the ‘‘ Golden Crown,’’ the distribution of the Indian Elasmobranchs will be discussed. As Capt. Lloyd! has recently made use of all the information at present available in India regarding the Ceratopteride, it is unnecessary for me to discuss the species of that family, especially as no specimens have been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown.’’ I may say, however, that an examination of the specimens in the Indian and Madras Museums fully confirms Lloyd’s remarks as to the peculiarities of the Ceratopterid skull. ' Rec. Ind. Mus., ii, p. 175 (1908). APPENDIX. ANALYSIS OF THE OILS PRODUCED BY CERTAIN INDIAN RAYS AND OTHER AQUATIC VERTEBRATES. By D. Hooper, F.C.S., Industrial Section, Indian Museum. Among the specimens of fish captured by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’’ and handed over to the Indian Museum for determination have been several species which yield large quantities of oil. The collection and use of marine animal oils in some parts of the world constitute important industries, but in India these fats are very rarely utilised, and their chemical composition and properties have never been studied. Whale and seal oils are occasionally imported for leather dressing and other purposes, and it does not appear that any serious attempt has been made to exploit the oils of Indian fish. The first oil examined was that of the Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica). This animal is called swsu, sehw and sisay, and the oil is locally used as an embrocation for rheumatism and as an illuminating agent. ‘The oil is yellowish-brown becoming reddish-brown on keeping, has a faint fishy smell, and deposits no solid fats at the winter temperature of Calcutta (18—22° C.). The following constants were obtained :— Specific gravity at 15°C... = x ‘921 Acid value ~ — oi 56 AICO Saponification value ak a .. 1988 Todine value Re: cab a .. 10609 Reichert-Meissl value we — ae “71 Fatty acids, per cent. oie oe we OALO Melting point of me t eo 2a. Acid value of oe oe ~. 205°0 Iodine value of oe at a2) TOS Although it is allied to the sperm whale, the oil of this animal contained no sperm- aceti. There is a fair amount of free fatty acids, but there is only a small proportion of the more volatile fatty acids. The solid fatty acid, calculated as palmitic acid, amounted to about 16 per cent. Such an oil would be of value for currying purposes, for burning and for lubricating fine machinery. ‘The other oils examined were those of the livers of certain large fish brought from the Bay of Bengal, and identified by Dr. Annandale. The livers were from the following species :— I. White Sting-Ray (7vygon microps). 2. Common Saw-Fish (Pristis perottetit). 3- Spotted Shark (Stegostoma tigrinum). 4. Shark Ray (Rhamphobatis ancylostomus). 60 Memorrs of the Indian Museum. [Vou. II, 1909. | The livers of these animals were of an enormous size; that of the Sting-Ray weighing 894 pounds and that of the Saw-Fish 102? pounds. These livers were very rich in oil ; that of the Sting-Ray afforded 71°6 parts of oil, 17°7 parts of water and 10°7 parts of hepatic tissue in 100 parts. The hepatic tissue contained over 5 per cent. of nitrogen and would form a valuable manure. All the oils deposited varying amounts of white fats, chiefly palmitin, at the cold weather temperatures. When freshly expressed the oil has a not unpleasant odour, similar to cod-liver oil, and a colour varying from light yellow to reddish-yellow. The following constants were obtained :— i P: 3. 4. Specific gravity at 50° C. OA “g00 ‘g10 ‘909 Melting point Ae Brae Ce ea 26°5° Zn Acid value or re “98 60) I'I6 10 3) Saponification value .. 7 LOAO ES7-1 ekOsa4 187°4 Iodine value a eASy, 2:0 el2e.2 1185 Reichert-Meissl E reeneZO ‘28 22 278 Fatty acids, per cent. .. a O32 94°7 Q4°2 94°6 Melting point of sa Se AI ene Oe 39° 20. Acid value of So 5320374 1027255 18079) ae 1Q0;4 All these oils contained a cholesterol affording a rose-red or purplish-red colour with sulphuric acid. The slight acidity of these oils is much in their favour should they be employed for edible purposes. According to Hosmann the presence of free acids is characteristic of fresh cod-liver oil. Comparatively neutral oils such as these would be much more suitable for medicinal purposes. The large quantity of solid fats would render these oils useful for soap manufacture, while the liquid oil, separated from the palmitin, would be serviceable for leather dressing, lighting and lIrubi- cating purposes. The livers of various fish have not the same uniform composition as the above. The small skate known as Tyvygon gervardi in a fresh state possessed a liver weighing only 37°5 grams. This was composed as follows in one hundred parts :— Water 56°5 Oil 28°3 Tissue Tye The hepatic tissue contained 11°48 per cent. of nitrogen, an amount equal to that found in dry blood. eee Fic. EXPLANATION OF PLATE I. 1.—Photograph of a female specimen of the typical form of 7vygon uarnak which measured 5 ft. 3 in. across the disk. 2.—Photograph of a female specimen of 7. warnak var. variegatus which mea- sured about 5 ft. across the disk. 3.—Photograph of the type specimen (¢ } of 7vygon favus. This specimen mea- sured 4 ft. 4 in. across the disk. Mem. Inv. Mus. Vou. 1909, Bien ; = pale | EF 21 Th ak Var. varle sc t ) T fayvus. sp nor UsaINak His G |. Warnak Var. varlepa rip o. 1. ravus, St be i? a co oa a sas ») ” ” Mem. Ind. Mus. Vol. II, 1909. f 2. T.uarnak 3.T sephen 1. T. microps Bit walga. Gna ger rardi CO Orgran: Eh BROS T. zugei 8.Urogymnus asperrimus 6Ga.T gerrardi 9.T bleekeri 10.7. favius MOUTHS OF INDIAN TRYGONIDA mie 1 i? i Dit 4 i? ee o He arte = oe mu y ; i - ’ EXPLANATION OF PLATE IIIA. Moutus AND TEETH OF INDIAN TORPEDINIDA}. [All the teeth ave drawn from preparations mounted in canada batsam. | _ 1.—Internal view of the mouth of Narcine timler, x 4. 1a.—Teeth of the same, x 75. 2.—Internal view of the mouth of Narcine brunnea, x 4. 2a.—Teeth of the same, =< 75. 3.—Internal view of the mouth of Narcine mollis, x 6. 3a.—Teeth of the same, x 75. 4.—Teeth of Torpedo marmorata, x 20. 5.—Mouth of Benthobatis moresby:, x 8. 5a.—Teeth of the same, x 75. 6.—Mouth of Astrape dipterygia, x 6. 6a.—Teeth of the same, x 75. 7.—Mouth of Bengalichthys impennis, x 6. 7a.—Teeth of the same, x 75. Ever. Ind. Mus., Vol. II, 1909 jeleae ita. ail NY : \\ UY SQ a WZ SN Lie ree ; NY it NNN t4-Hy fy v batt 7 y, Wg, == MOUTHS &TEETH OF INDIAN TORR EDINA E- Dis I gall o : ie | =|" it i ir t : 5 a » i [ i ' i r, f h it i f F i ! ' { By \ } ' = F n 4 = { If 1 ; ' i ; iF n 7 i ‘ 4 é ; ig 7 7 iT 7 nM : ' f ( \ t i i bs t EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV. Fic. 1.—Photograph of type specimen(?) of Tvyvgon microps. ‘This specimen mea- sured 6 ft. 6 in. across the disk. -—Photograph of female specimen of T. zugei, x 485. —Photograph of female specimen of Pteroplatea zonura (considerably reduced). ,, 4.—Photograph of young specimen of Pt. tentaculata, x c. 4. A piece of white paper has been placed beneath the left tentacle. ,, 5.—Photograph of a male specimen of Aéobatis flagellum, x c. 2 2 38 ol Mem. Inv. Mus. Vou.IL. 1909, Pla pene Photo by A.C.Chowdhary. Bemrose It4 Derby Fic. EXPLANATION OF PLATE V. 1.—Photograph of a male specimen of Hypolophus sephen in which the end of the tail has been lost (much reduced). 2, 2a.—Photographs of a large female specimen of Uvogymnus asperrimus in which the tail had been mutilated (much reduced). In fig. 2 the base of the disk is considerably foreshortened. 3.—Photograph of a female specimen of Torpedo marmorata from the Orissa coast, Cues 4.—Cast of the type specimen () of Pristis annandaler, Chaudhuri, x 4). 5.—Photograph of a male specimen of Rhamphobatis ancylostomus, x c. +5. m. Inv. Mus. Vou.I1. 1909. Speer Photo by A.C. Chowdhary. Fig]. Trygon sephen (tail abnormal) Fi 6 4s Pristis pectmatus var annandal RECORDS oe . ae ee of the -———s INDIAN MUSEUM (A JOURNAL OF INDIAN ZOOLOGY) Beste Vol. 1, 1907. : Part T.—Contributions to the Fauna of the Arabian Sea. Records of Hemiptera and Hymenoptera from the Himalayas, ae Further notes on Indian Freshwater Entomostraca. The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, I—III. A Sporozoon from the Heart of a Cow. Miscellanea. Part II.—Revision of the Oriental Stratiomyide. Description of an Oligochete Worm allied to Chetogaster. The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, 1V. Further Note on a Polyzoon from the Himalayas. ey Reports on a collection of Batrachia, Reptiles and Fish from Nepal and the Western Himalayas. The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, V. Notes on Oriental Diptera, I, II. Miscellanea. ie Part III.—Report on the Marine Polyzoa in the collection of the Indian Museum, The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at : 5 Port Canning, Lower Bengal, VI. A third note on Earwigs (Dermaptera) in the Indian Museum, with the descrip- tion of a new species. Notes on Oriental Diptera, III. Description of a new snake from Nepal. Notes on a col- _ lection of marketable fish from Akyab, with a description of a new species of Lactavius. Description of two fresh- Fee water Oligochete Worms from the Punjab. Notes on Phosphorescence in Marine Animals. Notes on the rats of bs Dacca, Eastern Bengal. Notes on Freshwater Sponges, I—V. Miscellanea. “{Nudiclava monocanthi, the type of a new genus of Hydroids parasitic on Fish. Preliminary descriptions new Nycteribiide from India. Annotated Catalogue of Oriental Culicid@, Notes on Oriental Diptera, IV. t Freshwater Sponges, VI, VII. Description of a new Cyprinid Fish of the genus Danio from Upper ~ Bu Miscellanea, > oe ‘ 2 Table of Contents, List of Plates, List of Authors, Errata and Corrigenda, and Index. Zi Vol. II, 1908-1909. Part I.—The retirement of Lieut.-Col. Alcock, with a list of his papers, etc., on Indian Zoology. The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, VII. Description of a New Dictyonine Sponge from the Indian Ocean. Notes on Freshwater Sponges, VIII, Remarkable cases of variation, I. Description of a new species of Lizard of the genus Salea, from Assam, The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, VIII. : : Description of a new Cayernicolous Phasgonurid from Lower Siam. Descriptions of new species of Marine and oh / Freshwater Shells in the collection of the Indian Museum, Notes on Oriental Syrphide, I. Description of a new variety of Spongilla lovicata. Notes on Oriental Diptera, V. Miscellanea. Part II.—Gordiens du Musée Indien. The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, IX. Description of a new species of Danio from Lower Burma, Rhynchota Malayana, I: Cimex rotundatus, Signoret. Notes on Freshwater Sponges, IX. Fruit Bats of the genus Plevopus inhabiting the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelagos. A new species of Sun-Bird obtained near Darjiling. Three Indian Phylactolemata. On two new species of Eagle- Rays (Myliobatide). Description of a new species of the genus Sesayma, Say., from the Andaman Islands. Des- criptions of new species of Land, Marine, and Freshwater Shells from the Andaman Islands. Pari III.—The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, X, XI. On some Oriental Solifuge with descriptions of new forms. The difference between the Takin (Budorcas) from the Mishmi Hills and that from Tibet, with notes on variation displayed by the former. Caridina nilotica (Roux) and its varieties. Description of a new species of Charaxes from the Bhutan Frontier. First Report on the Collection of Culicide and Corethride in the Indian Museum, with descriptions of new genera and species. Miscellanea. Part IV.—Report on a collection of aquatic animals made in Tibet by Capt. F. H. Stewart in 1907, I. Notes on Aculeate Hymenoptera in the Indian Museum,I. Indian Psychodide. Description of a new species of mouse from the Madura District, Madras. Some Cleride of the Indian Museum, The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Can- ning, Lower Bengal, XII. Description of a new species of Saw-Fish captured off the Burma Coast. A new Sting Ray of the genus Tvygon from the Bay of Bengal. New Micro-lepidoptera from India and Burma. Notes on some Chrysomelid Beetles in the collection of the Indian Museum. Six new Cicindelinz from the Oriental Region. Des- = cription of a new slug from Tibet. Part V.—Revision of the Oriental Leptide. Revised and annotated Catalogue of Oriental Bombylide, with descriptions of new species. Vol. III, 1909. Part I.—The Races of Indian Rats. MEMOIRS of the INDIAN MUSEUM Vol. I. No, I.—An account of the Rats of Calcutta. By W.C. Hossacx. Rs. 5-8. No. Il.—An account of the Internal Anatomy of Bathynomus giganteus. By R. E. Ltoyp. Rs. 2. No. III A and B.—The Oligochzta of India, Nepal, Ceylon, Burma and the Andaman Islands, with an account of the anatomy of certain aquatic forms. By W. MICHAEISEN and J. STEPHENSON. Rs. 4-8. No. IV.—Investigator sicarius, a Gephyrean Worm hitherto undescribed, the type of a new order. By F. H. Stewart. Rs. 2. MEMOIRS of the INDIAN MUSEUM Vol. Ill, No. [. Report on the Fishes taken by the Bengal Fisheries : a Steamer “Golden Crown” ey (WITH PLATES I—ill). d a ae ay Hx i he aor o en % ane as ps Ae ‘ute t2 ei T Hl. —Additional Notes on the Batoidei, ‘ By : N. ANNANDALE. Part Ill.—Plectognathi and Pediculati, re By N. ANNANDALE and J. T. JENKINS. Part [V.—Pleuronectide, S 7 By | J. T. JENKINS. Ks 3 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF ‘HE TRUSTEES OF THE INDIAN MUSEUM. : Calcutta : PRINTED AT THE BAPTIST MISSION PRESS. NOVEMBER, IQIO. Price Three Rupees. tS we. ihn Be ee eS o Miscellaneous Zoological Publications. Rs. As. ioi heme. M. Suras lected b Holothurioidea collected by t Ra ae he aa eens Rican ie = a crate ‘«Investigator.” By R. Koehler and C. Vaney 2 Coy MB. C.M.Z.S. : 6 0 Kchinoderma ot the indian Museum ; eee Yu Account of the Deep-sea Madreporaria collected SE ieee cee ih the ee nvesti- ae RY ated 2 BES “Investigator.” By A. Alcock, we ak ao keg oe re diaa suseum sh alo w 5 ee Account of the Triaxon (Hexactinellid) sponges ee tener nee Se re se ee Soe gag eee 16.0 Echinoderma of the pete pie? StS as =e e steroidea col- Account of the Alcyonarians collected by the | erie ae are RPE se gutsy ene Rt oe R.I.M.S. “Investigator,” Part I. By J. Arthur aecenlere rs ae THO son Mey nn SW ee Hendersdn ee 6 | Echinoderma of the Indian Museum, Part VI: An eS ae, Pte sAt collected" By the shee account of the Shallow-water Asteroidea. By R. ae Account o; e cyonarians | hier : SSE SR See Fs are FRE Se 4 Pees and Descriptions of Nine Species of Squil- Thomson MLA., and J.J Simpson, M-A., B.Sc: “20 { f the collection of the Indian Museum. Aids to the ides enon cies of Rats ebanieeied with nee FW jood-Mason, F.Z.S., etc., edited by Plague in India. By W. C. Hossack, M.D. .. 0 8 | A Alcock, M.B., C.M.Z.S. .. 3 Ome Catalogue of Indian Crustacea. Part I.—Introduc- | tion and Brachyura Primigenia. a A. Alcock, M.B:, LL. D:, F:R:S: 6 Bie Gua ©) Catalogue of Indian Decapod Crustacea. Part I— | Guide to the Zoological Collections exhibited in Brachyura. Fasciculus II.—The Indian Fresh- the Fish Gallery of the Indian Museum. oe : water Crabs—Potamonide, By A. Alcock, | A. Alcock, M.B., C.M.Z.S. .. fo) 8 : CLE., M.B., LL.D., F.R.S. 4 10 eGnide to the Zoological Collections exhibited in the Catalogue of the Indian Decapod Crustacea. Part | Invertebrate Gallery of the Indian Museum. Guide to the Zoological Collections exhibited in the Bird Gallery of the Indian Museum. ae : EF. Finn, B.A., F:Z.S. oO 12 II.—Anomura. Fascicnlus I.—Pagurides. By By A. Alcock, M.B., C.M.Z.S. (Out of print.) A. Alcock, M.B., LL.D., F.R.S., C.1.E. -- 14 0 Guide to the Zoological Collections exhibited in the Catalogue of the Indian Decapod Crustacea. Part Reptile and Amphibia Gallery of the Indian Mu- III.—Macrura. Fasciculus I.—The Prawns of seum. By A. Alcock, M.B., C.M.Z.S. (Out of the Peneus Group. By A. Alcock, M.B., I1,.D., | print.) F.R-S., C.1.E. 7 © | Hand Ist of Mollusca in the Indian Museum, Catalogue of Indian Deep- -sea Crustacea: Decapoda | Parts I and IJ, and Fasciculus E. By G. Nevill, Macrura and Anomala in the Indian Museum. C.M.Z.S., etc. Index, Parts I and II. By W. : By A. Alcock, M.B., LL.D., C.M.Z.S. 10 Oo Theobold pea we Catalogue of Indian Deep- sea Fishes in the Indian Tilustrated Catalogue ‘of the Asiatic Horns and Museum. By A. Alcock, M.B., C.M.Z.S. aor ut ahO. Antlers in the Indian Museum. ByT. Bentham 2 o Catalogue of Mammalia in the "Indian Museum, List of Batrachia in the IndianMuseum. By W. lL. Part I. By J. Anderson, M.D., L1..D. , ERS. | Sclater, M.A., F.Z.S. Fess Oe) Part II. By W. lL. Sclater, M.A., F.Z.S. -. 6 © | Jst of Birds in the Indian Museum, Part I.— Catalogue of Mantodea in the Indian Museum, Corvide, Paradiseide, Ptilonorhynchide and Parts ITand II. By J. Wood-Mason, F.Z.S.,etc. 2 0 | Crateropodide. By F. Finn, B.A., F.Z.S. .. 1 0 Catalogue of Moths of India, Parts I to VII, By [ist of Snakes in the Indian Museum. By W.L. E. C. Cotes and C. Swinhoe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., etc. 5 12 | Sclater, M.A., F.Z.S. TO) Echinoderma of the Indian Museum : “Account of | Monograph of the Asiatic Chiroptera and Catalogue the Deep-sea Holothurioidea collected by the of the Species of Bats in the Indian Museum. R.I.M.S. Seer By R. Koehler and By G. E. Dobson, M.A., M.B., F.R.S, oy te) C. Vaney .. 16 0 | Monograph of the ‘Oriental Cicadidee, Parts I to Echinoderma of the Indian Museum : Littoral VII. By W. L. Distant, F.E.S. ee SSE The above can be obtained from tac) Su perintendent of the Indian Museum, Calcutta, and from Messrs. Friedlander & Sohn, 11, Carlstrasse, Berlin, Other Publications edited and sold by the Superintendent of the Indian Museum (also obtainable from Messrs, Friedlander & Sohn) issued by the Director of the Royal Indian Marine. Illustrations of the Zoology of the R.I.M.S. Inv estigator,” 1892. Fishes, Plates I to VII. Crustacea, Plates I to V, 1894. Fishes, Plates “VII to XII. Crustacea, Plates VI to VIII. Echinoderma, Plates I to II, 1895. Echinoderma, Plates IV and V.° Fishes, Plates XIV to XVI. Crustacea, Plates IX to XV, 1806. Crustacea, Plates XVI to XXVIII, 1897. Fishes, Plate XVII. Crustacea, Plates XXVIII to XXXII. Mollusca, Plates I to VI, 1898. Fishes, Plates XVIII to S-aniG Crustacea, Plates XXXII to XXXV. Mollusca, Plates VII and VIII, 1899. Fishes, Plates XXV and XXVI. Crustacea, Plates XXXVI to XLV, 1900. Fishes, Plates XXVII to XXXV. Crustacea, Plates XLVI to XLVIII. Index, Part I, 1901. Crustacea, Plates XLIX to LV. Mollusca, Plates IX to XIII, 1902. Crustacea, Plates LVI to LXVII. Crustacea, Plates LX VIII to LXXVI. Fishes, Plates XXXVI to XXXVI, 1905. Crustacea (Malacostraca), Plates LXXVII to LXXIX. Crustacea (Entomostraca), Plates T and II. Mollusca, Plates XIV to XVIII, 1907. Fishes, Plates KXXIX to XLIII. Crustacea (Entomostra- ca), Plates III to V. Mollusca, Plates XIX and XX, 1908.—Re. 1 per plate. Mollusca, Plates XXI to XXIII, 1909.— As 8 per plate. REPORT ON THE FISHES TAKEN BY THE BENGAL FISHERIES STEAMER “GOLDEN CROWN.” PART II.-ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE BATOIDEI. By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., F.A.S.B., Superintendent, Indian Museum. Since my report on the Batoidei was published (Mem. Ind. Mus., ii, pp. t1—60), a considerable number of interesting specimens of this group have been obtained by the “‘ Golden Crown,”’ whose operations have now been brought to a close so far as the Government of Bengal is concerned, and I have had the opportunity of examining some of the Indian rays in the British and the Royal Scottish Museums. It has therefore become advisable in some cases to supplement, and in one to correct my former statements in the light of additional knowledge. I have nothing to add to what I said as regards the Pristidae and Rhinobatidae, but the Trygonidae and My- liobatidae need further comment, while as regards the Torpedinidae I may note that a considerable number of specimens of Bengalichthys impennis of both sexes have recently been taken in Balasore Bay, and one small female on the shore at Puri. My great and increased obligations in this work to Dr. J. T. Jenkins must be acknowledged, and also my sense of the courteous assistance which I met in the British Museum at the hands of Mr. G. A. Boulenger. Family TRYGONIDAE. Trygon uarnak (Forsk§l}. Mem. Ind. Mus., ii, p. 22. Bleeker’s specimen of T. wndulatus (one of the types of that ‘“species’’) in the British Museum (specimen M in Gunther’s Catalogue) appears to be a young example of T. uarnak in which the spots have already begun to coalesce. At this stage I am unable to distinguish the colour variety variegatus from the typical form. Several of the synonyms in the Catalogue must undoubtedly be transferred from this species to T. gerrardi; but a more careful examination of Bleeker’s specimens than I had time to undertake in Europe would be necessary to elucidate this point fully. T. pareh seems to me to be distinct from either species, although it is probably identical with my own T. alcockii, which of course, should this prove to be the case, must be sunk as a synonym. It may be noted that in dried or shrivelled specimens of T. alcockw the flat scales on the dorsal surface become more conspicuous than is the 2 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. IWor, sulliie case in fresh specimens. They do not, however, even in a dried skin assume the regular pattern with well-defined outlines so characteristic of T. gerrardit and T. bleekert. The measurements of the disk of the young specimen of T. warnak given on page 30 of my report are unusual, the disk being broader than is commonly the case. The following measurements were taken from a single batch of somewhat older speci- mens in which the spots had already begun to coalesce and the ground colour of the back to darken :— rol (of fof 2 Q 2 9 Length of disk 4o-0 em. 38°75 em. 35°0 cm. 37°5 cm. 40°0 cm. 38°75 cm. 41°25 cm. Breadth of disk 50°0 ,, 47°55 ,, 42°55, 4625,, 500 ,, 48°75 ,, 5125 ,, Trygon gerrardu, Gray. Mem. Ind. Mus., ii, p. 24. Two species are confused under this name in the British Museum Catalogue, a half-grown specimen from Japan being certainly distinct from the types of the species. The latter are young stuffed specimens, but I am pretty sure that they are identical with what I call T. gerrardii.' In T. gerrardwu the spots never extend to the anterior half of the disk, as they do in the half-grown Japanese specimen, in which there are traces of a mid-dorsal row of spines resembling those of T. akajet. A large adult male of T. gerrardii was recently captured off the Madras coast which had the ventral surface suffused with dark pigment. Its measurements were as follows :— Breadth of disk .. =, ms a 86°25 cm. Length of disk .. ne ae = G25 weer Length from mouth to vent .. Be - 13-7 5s Breadth between eyes ae ue of 2 5 ee Length of snout .. a she ore Teibe «ae This is by far the largest specimen of the species I have seen, but the pale spots, which were confined to the posterior margin of the disk, were quite distinct. Trygon fluviatilis (Ham. Buch.). (Plate i, fig. 1.) Size fairly large (a female from the sea measured 4 ft. 74 in. across the disk). Disk slightly broader than long without the pelvic fins, very flat, with the lateral angles very broadly and gradually rounded, so that the whole body, including the ! But see Dr. Gtnther’s remarks in his ‘‘ Fische der Siidsee,”’ pt. ix, p. 492 (1910). He is of the opinion that the species of these type specimens cannot be recognized. It is only after comparing large numbers of specimens in different conditions of preservation that I venture to differ from him, IgIo. | N. ANNANDALE: Noles on the Batoidet. 3 pelvic fins, has an oval outline. The snout acutely pointed and much produced) more than twice as long as the distance between the eyes. Colour.—Dorsal surface a dark livid purplish grey, changing to dull ochraceous in the middle of the disk. Ventral surface white with a broad, irregular, deeply pig- mented margin, which is more or less interrupted in front. Eyes small, not very prominent. Skin tough ; the entire dorsal surface (except that of the pelvic fins) and a con- siderable part of the ventral covered by small indistinctly stellate scales, the project- ing points of which are for the most part blunt. These scales are larger for the most part on the head than on the rest of the disk, but on the posterior half of the body some of them are markedly larger than the rest and bear sharp, straight spines; on the fins and on the ventral surface they are very small. This species is closely allied to Blyth’s 7. marginatus, from which its produced and pointed snout will at once distinguish it. It also occurs in the R. Ganges, and is evidently the species named by Hamilton Raja fluviatilis. On this point I shall have more to say on another occasion. A specimen was taken off the Madras coast from between 20 and 30 fathoms in November, 1909. Its measurements were as follows :— Breadth of disk .. i =: ae 138°75 cm. Length of disk .. WY: i Peek: Ee 1350 ,, Breadth between eyes oi: ot aA PAOD. Breadth of mouth an B. oe: IANS ae Length from mouth to vent 8 oY 83575 5 The tail had unfortunately been removed before the specimen was brought to the Museum, but we have recently obtained another specimen in which the tail was apparently complete, but was less than twice as long as the body. Urogymnus asperrimus, Muller and Henle. (Plate u1, figs. 1, Ia, 1b.) Mem. Ind. Mus., ii, p. 37. Another large female specimen of this fish was taken off the Madras coast in September, 1909. Curiously enough its tail was mutilated in exactly the same way as was the case in the individual of the same species previously described. Its measurements were as follows :— Breadth across disk ae it * 120°0 em. Length of disk .. #. ae a 7 12250 Breadth between eyes a ove tt a Zc Breadth of mouth . fe a ef: : TOi2 Se, Mouth to vent .. ae Es Pe 5 TO0;008> This specimen had on the floor of the mouth, in addition to three finger-like pro- cesses in the centre, a shorter process on either side. Memoirs of the Indian Museum. (Vor. Li, On the same voyage as that on which the large individual was taken, a young one, perhaps born from it prematurely, was also captured. It differed from the adult in the total absence of scales from the pectoral fins and snout and in possessing only blunt scales on the body and tail. Although there was no trace of a spine on the latter, the place in which it would have been in a Tvygon was occupied by a distinct naked groove (pl. ii, fig. 1)—an interesting piece of evidence as regards the descent of Urogymnus from a genus such as Trygon with a poison-spine on the tail. On the snout a few soft tubercles were visible, which appeared to be developing spines with a flat base. Family MYLIOBATIDAE. Aétobatis narinare (Euphrasen). (Plate ii, fig. 2.) A. narinari, Mem. Ind. Mus., ii, p. 55 (2). A. guttata, abid., p. 56(¢).- It becomes clear from an examination of specimens from iocalities outside the Bay of Bengal and of individuals taken recently by the ‘‘ Golden Crown’’ off the Madras coast, that I was wrong in two particulars as regards the species of A étobatis ; firstly, in thinking that the form I called 4. navinavi was peculiar to the Atlantic, and secondly, in regarding it as specifically distinct from the common Indian form. For some reason all the specimens I had examined in a fresh condition were males, in which the snout appears to be normally more pointed than it is in females; and it is evident that the coloration of the species is more variable than I realized. In Edinburgh and London there are Indian specimens that agree closely with American and South Sea specimens in the British Museum, while an old female from the Madras coast differs in more respects than one from all other specimens I have seen. It appears, however, that if very old and very young individuals, in both of which the spots are obscure or absent, are omitted from consideration, three colour varieties may be distinguished as follows :— Entire dorsal surface of disk, including the snout, spotted. Spots on the dorsal surface confined to the post-spiracular part of the disk. Var. C.—Spots confluent into short transverse streaks. Var. A. Waite Be Var. B is the common variety in the northern parts of the Bay of Bengal, but is by no means confined to Indian seas Var. Ais found off the Coromandel and Mala- bar coasts as well as in the Atlantic and South Pacific; while var. C is probably liable to occur in diverse places as an individual sport. The large female recently taken by the ‘‘Golden Crown’ d is practically devoid of spots, which appear to have become almost obsolete. Very young individuals are also unspotted; but in them the spots are just commencing to appear. For the following measurements of the large specimen I am indebted to Dr. Jenkins 1910. | N. ANNANDALE: Notes on the Batoidet. 5 and Mr. G. H. Tipper. They were taken on the fresh fish, while I have only been able to examine the skin in spirit. Unfortunately the snout was not measured, but it has evidently been extremely broad, short, and blunt. The measurements of young males were taken from two specimens captured together in the Bay of Bengal and preserved in spirit. Unfortunately the snout is much distorted in the smaller of the two, which was probably born prematurely :— ) 3 (juv.) ¢(juv.) Breadth of disk i BA - 205°0 cm. 23°2 cm. 20°4 cm. Length of disk iy * ae Teh 2oCNaneeen VESC ee sn mak Oe Agee Length of tail oP ¥ GEO van | aS y7/18) are ae ily aye Mouth to vent He * i i O:03 Fe 8 Sere Breadth of snout at base Se oy: mS 17a Length of snout si as oe ae TOU os The length of disk includes that of the snout. The large female differs not only in its inconspicuous coloration, very large size and short rounded snout from other specimens sent to the Museum from the ‘‘ Golden Crown,” but also in having the dorsal surface and the whole of the tail covered with small, star-shaped denticles. On the head these are sufficiently close together to form a regular pavement, while on. the tail they have a spinous character. Muller and Henle have noticed that the tail of very large specimens of A. flagellum is some- times rough (Plagiostomen, p. 180), and I am inclined to think that this is a character denoting extreme old age The teeth in the ‘‘Golden Crown’’ specimen are trans- verse, and not pointed at the tip in the lower jaw; the nasal flap is nearly straight; there is no trace of a serrated spine on the tail. It is evident. therefore, that neither the shape of the tooth-band of the lower jaw, the outline of the snout, that of the nasal flap, nor the number of spines present on the tail can be regarded as characters of specific importance. PART 1il.—PLECTOGNATHI AND PEDICULATI. By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc., F.A.S.B., Superintendent, Indian Museum, Eve M on We JENKINS, B.Sc. (Lond.), D.Sc. (Wales), Ph.D. (Kiel), Superintendent, Lanca- shive and Western Sea Fisheries, late Fishery Adviser, Government of Bengal. INTRODUCTION. As comparatively few sharks and dog-fish have been taken by the ‘‘Golden Crown,’’ and as the collection of Selachians in the Indian Museum is by no means complete, we have thought it best to defer the consideration of this group. More- over, to describe the Teleostei in the collection of the ‘‘Golden Crown” in an adequate manner will mean little less than a revision of the Indian representatives of all the families of which specimens have been obtained, and this work cannot yet be undertaken as regards the larger groups. We have therefore decided to deal, in the first instance, with those groups that are compact and of moderate size without reference to their exact systematic position. As a beginning we here discuss the sub- orders Plectognathi and Pediculati, in our arrangement of which we follow Mr. Boulenger’s account of the Teleostei in the Cambridge Natural History, vol. vii (1904). Most of the specimens of these suborders that Day has figured in his Fishes of India are in the collection of the Indian Museum, including the types of severalspecies. In the ‘‘Golden Crown’’ collection the Triacanthidae and Tetrodontidae of the Bay of Bengalare fairly well represented, but the Balistidae, Diodontidae and Pediculati poorly. The Balistidae and Diodontidae are mainly species which frequent coral reefs, but coral reefs do not occur in the northern part of the Bay of Bengal, and it is only near the southern limits of the trawler’s cruises, that is to say, off the Madras coast, that Balistidae have been taken. Their presence there is probably due to the large masses formed by molluscs of the genera Szliquaria and Spiroglyphus and almost comparable to coral reefs in growth. The Indian Pediculati, on the other hand, are mostly deep- sea forms; the majority of the species that belong to our fauna have been described by Col. Alcock or by Capt. Iloyd from the ‘‘Investigator’’ collections, the types being in the Indian Museum. We must express our obligations to Prof. Max Weber of Amsterdam for valuable notes on the genera Triacanthus and Halieutaea. I.—Suborder PLECTOGNATHI. LIST OF THE PLECTOGNATHI OF INDIAN SEAS. [The names of species not represented in the collection of the Indian Museum are printed in italics. Those of species taken by the ‘Golden Crown’’ are distinguished § Memoirs of the Indian Museum. (Vor.sdelele by a*, those of species of which the types are in the Indian Museum with a +, and those of species not recorded or recognized as distinct by Day in the “ Fauna’’ with a §.} SCLERODERMI. 34. Ostracion punctatus. 35. nasus.* Fam. TRIACANTHIDAE. 35 a 36. ae cornutus. 1. Triacanthus brevirostris. 37. Ostracion fornasini.§ oxycephalus.*§ mt strigilifer.* GYMNODONTES. * weberi.*§ + 3) 4 : Fam. TETRODONTIDAE. 5. Triacanthodes ethiops.§t 6 Halimochirurgus centriscoides.§ + 38. Tetrodon lunaris.* 39. os inermis.* Fam. TRIODONTIDAE. 40. 2 eealarmtne: 7. Triodon bursarius. AD, _ hypselogenion. aR oblongus.* Fam. BALISTIDAE. A 29 i 8 : f ieee 43. " spinosissimus.§ SS ails. 8. Balistes ste 5; ae Wa. i patoca.* 9: 2» ee ae 45. A. cutcutia. 1) » Meee a 40. io immaculatus.* o . he SUN eeegena 47. ie nigropunctatus. TZ r» mitis. . 48. 7 stellatus.* 3. Balistes consprcillum. 40. reatieulanie ct 14. Balistes viridescens. 50 fepane fuscus. Bi ia tS iB 4 : 51. s leopardus. + 16. ,, flavimarginatus. a ee ake 52. si viridipunctatus. ¢ 17. Batistes ellrotr. fs Ae Gis ; : 5 V : 18. Balistes aculeatus. ae ee : 4 - 54. Tropidichthys investigatoris, sp. 19. ,, tectangulus. neue 20. oH undulatus. : 55. Lvopidichthys valentini.§ oe bennettit.§ 21. Balistes buniva. 2 57. Tropidichthys margaritatus.* Balistes erythrodon. 23. Monacanthus oculatus.§ 24. Monacanthus nematophorus.§ 25. fe setifer. 26. Monacanthus choerocephalus. Fam. DIODONTIDAE. Diodon maculatus. 0. Diodon orbicularis.*§ 8. Diodon hystrix. 9 5) DoH ee tomentosus. J 28. Aluteres monoceros.* 6 29. i scriptus.* ri : Ser ene en Fam. MOLIDAE. 30. Aluteres nasicornis.§ 31. Anacanthus barbatus. 61. Orthagoriscus, sp. Fam. OSTRACIONTIDAE. 32. Ostracion gibbosus.* 33. - cubicus, 1g10.} N. ANNANDALE and J. T. JENKINS: Plectognatht and Pediculaty. 9 Of the 61 species in the above list, only 17 have been taken by the ‘‘Golden Crown,’’ although 34 of the 54 Batoidei known from Indian seas were obtained. This is evidently due to the fact that the great majority of the Plectognathi are reef- haunting species not found in water suitable for the operations of a trawler. Three species in the list (Tvzacanthodes ethiops, Halimochirurgus centriscoides and Ostracion fornasini) have been added to the Indian fauna by Col. Alcock,' while five have recently been recorded from the south-western limits of the Indian seas by Mr. Tate Regan in his account of the fish taken off the Maldives and in other parts of the Indian Ocean by Prof. Stanley Gardiner.” These five species, only the first of which is represented in the collection of the Indian Museum, are Monacanthus oculatus, M. nematophorus, Aluteres nasicorms, Tropidichthys valentim and T. bennett. Two additional species have recently been taken by the R.I.M.S. ‘‘Investigator’’ in fairly deep water, both new to the fauna, namely, Tetvodon spinosissimus and Tropid- ichthys investigatoris,sp.nov. ‘The former was described by Mr. Tate Regan from the Saya de Malha Bankin the Indian Ocean, and is represented in the Indian Museum by several specimens from the Gulf of Martabanand from Hongkong. ‘Two species of T7v1- acanthus and one of Diodon, not recognized by Day, have been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown.” Most of the forms dealt with in this paper are, however, well known; only two new species are described here (Tvopidichthys investigatoris and Halieutaea indica), while a third (Tviacanthus webert) has recently been described by Mr. B. L,. Chaudhuri. The families and genera of the Plectognathi have so often been discussed that in most cases it will be unnecessary for us to describe their peculiarities, which are fully described in Giinther’s Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum, vol. viii. Sclerodermi. Key to the Families and Indian Genera of Sclerodermt. Family I, TRIACANTHIDAE. Skin covered with small scales; body compressed ; a spinous dorsal fin consisting of at least two spines; a pair of stout moveable ventral spines. A.—Snout moderately produced; teeth small, conical, in a double series Se u .. Tvriacanthodes. B.—Snout moderately produced; teeth of the outer series incisor-like me ave .. Ivnacanthus. C. -Snout produced into a long, curved, perfectly tubular organ = o .. Halimochirurgus. 1 Journ. Astat. Soc. Bengal (ii), vol. \xiii, p. 137, pl. vii, fig. 6 (1894), and vol. Ixv, p. 338 (1896) ; Proc. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, 1899, p. 78; Illustr. Zool. R.I.M.S. ‘‘ Investigator,’’ Fishes, pl. xv, fig. 9, and pl. xxxi, fig. 3. » Gardiner’s Fauna and Geogr. Maldive and Laccadive Arch., vol. i, p. 279, and Trans. Linn. Soc. London (2), xii, p. 252. IO Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Morealihie Family II, BALISTIDAE. Skin rough or with moveable scales; body compressed ; not more than three spines in the dorsal; ventral reduced to a single spine or absent. A.—Three dorsal spines present Be a ealistes: B.—One perfect and usually one rudimentary dorsal spine. (b) Ventral spine present or absent; no barbel; less than 40 rays in the anal fin as .. Monacanthus. (b’) No ventral spine; no barbel; more than 40 rays in the anal fin ae Ae .. Aluteres. (b”) No ventral spine; a fleshy barbel on the lower jaw ate ie fs .. Anacanthus. Family III, OSTRACIONTIDAE. The scales modified into a firm and inflexible carapace formed of mosaic-like scutes; spinous dorsal and ventral fins absent. Teeth small, slender, in a single series st .. Ostracton. The above key is based on the one given by Gunther in his Catalogue (vol. viii, p. 208), but only Indian forms are included and certain modifications have been ren- dered necessary by more recent work on Oriental ichthyology. Family TRIACANTHIDAE. Genus TRIACANTHUS, Cuvier. Key to the Indian species of Triacanthus. A.—Second dorsal spine much more than half as long as the first. First dorsal spine shorter than the head ; membrane of the dorsal fin tipped with black .. I. strigilifer. B.—Second dorsal spine less than half as long as the first. (6) Membrane of dorsal fin entirely pale; first dorsal spine distinctly longer than the head; snout fairly stout ; dorsal profile of head sinuous... 7. oxycephalus. (b’) Membrane of dorsal fin black; first dorsal spine not longer than the head; snout stout, with the dorsal profile nearly straight .. I. brevirosiris, t910.]| N. ANNANDALE and J. T. JENKINS: Plectognathi and Pediculats. li (0”) Membrane of dorsal fin edged with black; first dorsal spine not or barely longer than the head ; snout slender, with the dorsal profile distinctly concave and the ventral profile sinuous ney lh WEDere. Triacanthus strigilifer, Cantor. Day, Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, vol. ii, p. 472. This species, which does not appear to be quite so common in the Bay of Bengal as IT. brevirostris, is easily distinguished by the length of the second dorsal spine. Should this spine be broken, as is sometimes the case, the characteristic form of the snout, midway between that of T. brevirostris and T. weberi, will serve as diagnostic. T. strigilifer has been taken on both sides of the Bay by the ‘‘Golden Crown ’’ and is represented in Day’s collection. Triacanthus oxycephalus, Bleeker. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyologique, vol. v, p. 90, pl. ccexx, fig. 3. This species is regarded by Gunther as synonymous with 7. biaculeatus, but is apparently distinguished from the latter not only by the outline of its snout and the great length of the anterior dorsal spine, but also by distinct differences in coloration and in form of body. Prof. Max Weber has been kind enough to compare a specimen with Bleeker’s original specimens. T. oxycephalus is not represented in Day’s collection. It has been taken off the coast of Orissa by the ‘‘Golden Crown”? and also occurs off that of Lower Burma as well as in the Malay Archipelago. Triacanthus brevirostris, Temm. and Schleg. Day, Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, vol. ti, p. 471. T. brevirostris 1s perhaps the commonest species of the genus in the Bay of Bengal* In Lake Chilka it occurs in brackish water. It is easily distinguished from other species by its comparatively stout snout and by the almost complete blackness of the membrane of the dorsal fin. Tnacanthus weberr, Chaudhuri. T weberi, Chaudhuri, Journ. Asvat. Soc. Bengal (N.S.), vol. vi, p. 497, pl. xxxii (1910). This species is not represented in Day’s collection; indeed, all the specimens in the collection of the Indian Museum were taken by the ‘‘Golden Crown.’’ Possibly it inhabits rather deeper water than the other species. The peculiar form of the snout, which it is difficult to express accurately by means of measurements, will at once distinguish the species. The dark pigment on the snout, moreover, forms a narrower and better defined band on the sides than is the case in T. stvigilifer, T. brevirostris or T. oxycephalus. 12 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor i Family BALISTIDAE. Genus BalisTES, Lacepede. Balistes stellaris, Bloch and Schneid. This is the only species of the genus that has been taken by the “‘ Golden Crown.”’ It is apparently not uncommon on the Siiquaria grounds off the Madras coast at a depth of from 20 to 30 fathoms. Genus MONACANTHUS, Cuvier. No species of this genus (sensu stricto) has been taken by the “Golden Crown.” As, however, two new species have recently been added to the Indian fauna, the following key may prove useful. All the Indian species are fully described in Gunther's Catalogue :— Key to the Indian species of Monacanthus. A.—Ventral spine moveable; the ventral protuberance not extending beyond it. (a) Upper profile of snout concave; scales minute, each with four or five spines on the margin.. M. tomentosus. (a’) Upper profile of snout concave; scales minute, not very rough, sometimes mixed with minute cirri oe Wc ne ee Vile SCLI Cre (a”) Upper profile of snout nearly straight; skin velvety, with long fringed filaments .. M. nematophorus. B.—Ventral spine absent. Body subcircular, marked with purplish ocelli .. M. oculatus. Genus ALUTERES, Bleeker. Key to the Indian species of Aluteres. A.—Dorsal spine not in front of the orbit. (a) Dorsal profile of snout convex; caudal fin much shorter than the head = .. A. monoceros. (a’) Dorsal profile of snout concave; caudal fin nearly as long as or longer than the head a= ANeSCYEPLUS. B.—Dorsal spine distinctly in front of the orbit. Dorsal profile of snout convex; dorsal spine nearly as long as the head .. a .. A. nasicornis. Aluteres monoceros (Osbeck). Monacanthus monoceros, Day, Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, vol. ii, p. 482. This species has been taken by the ‘‘Golden Crown’’ on several occasions. It appears to be not uncommon, together with Balistes stellatus, on the Stliquaria grounds off the Madras coast. 1Ig10.] N. ANNANDALE and J. T. JENKINS. Plectognatht and Pediculatt. 13 An abnormal specimen in the collection, while agreeing in other respects with typical examples, shows no trace of the dorsal spine. Aluteres scriptus (Osbeck). Monacanthus scriptus, Dav, op. cit., p. 483. At least one specimen was taken by the ‘Golden Crown’’ on the same grounds as the last species. Family OSTRACIONTIDAE. Genus OstTracion, Artedi. The only species of this genustaken by the ‘‘Golden Crown’”’ are O. gibbosus (the O. turritus of Day’s books) and O. nasus. The two species do not appear to have quite the same distribution in the Bay of Bengal, for while O. nasus has been taken in considerable numbers in the muddy waters opposite the mouths of the Ganges, O. gibbosus appears to be characteristic rather of the S:/iquaria grounds off the Madras coast and the rocky bottom off Arakan. Both species occur, however, in the Andamans. Alcock (Journ. Astat. Soc. Bengal (ii), vol. Ixv, p. 338) has added O. fornasini,a species widely distributed in the Indian Ocean, to the fauna of British India; but we have been unable to find his specimen, which was taken off Ceylon in 34 fathoms, in the collection of the Indian Museum. The species is easily distinguished from its ally T. cornutus by its much shorter superciliary spines, which are parallel or slightly con- vergent, and by the fact that it possesses a large, conical, compressed spine in the middle of the back. Gymnodontes. The families here recognized are clearly distinguished by Day as ‘‘groups,’’ except that he does not separate the Diodontidae, which have only a single tooth in each jaw, from the Tetrodontide, which have two. Family TETRODONTIDAE. Considerable difference of opinion exists among ichthyologists as to the number of genera that should be recognized in this family. We are able to distinguish three among the Indian forms, as follows: — A.—Back rounded or flat ; nostrils conspicuous. (a) Dorsal and anal fins with more than 20 rays each a ip as .. Xenopterus. (a’) Dorsal and anal fins with not more than 16 rays each ae oF Be .. Letrodon. B.—Back compressed into a ridge; nostrils very inconspicuous. Dorsal and anal fins with not more than 10 rays each 58 es: ome .. Lvopidichthys. 14 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. ‘VoL. Il], Genus TETRODON, Linn. Tetrodon inermis, Schlegel. A specimen of this species was taken by the “ Golden Crown’ ’ off the mouth of the Eastern Channel (R. Hughli), in November, 1909. The sides of the fresh speci- men are of a bright golden-green colour. Tetrodon lunaris, Bloch and Schneid. There seems to be every gradation between 7. dunaris and T. spadiceus, Richard- son. ‘The only difference is the extent to which the spines on the dorsal surface extend backwards. T. lunaris isone of the commonest species in the Bay and was fre- quently taken on the ‘‘Golden Crown.” Young individuals from 2 cm. in length were taken in large numbers on the shore at Puri at the commencement of February, 1909. In fresh specimens the back is dark bluish or greenish grey, sometimes obscurely marbled with a paler shade. ‘The sides and belly are white. Tetrodon oblongus, Bloch. A common species in the Bay of Bengal frequently recorded on the “Golden Crown.”’ The length of the largest specimen is 28 cm. Tetrodon spinosissimus (Tate Regan). (Plate i, fig. 2.) Spheroides spinosissimus, Tate Regan, Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. (2) Zool., voi. xii, part iii} p. 253, pl. 31, fis. 5: There are two specimens in the collection of the Indian Museum from the Gulf of Martaban, taken by the ‘‘Investigator’’ from a depth of 100 fathoms. They differ from Tate Regan’s figure in having very much shorter spines, and one of them has numerous small black dots on the tail. Several specimens from Hongkong agree closely with the original figure. The species may be distinguished from all those described by Day, in the group with two nasal apertures on each side, by the uniform pale brown coloration of its dorsal surface. Tetrodon patoca, Ham. Buch. ? one off the Orissa coast in August, 1908, the other off Gopalpur (Madras Presidency) in September, 1909, the latter measuring 144 inches in length. The species is common in the estuaries of the Ganges. There are also several small specimens from Karachi in the collection. In these Two large specimens were taken by the “Golden Crown,’ the pale spots are somewhat obscure. This, however, may be due to the fact. that they were originally preserved in formalin. 1910.]} N. ANNANDALE and J. T. JENKINS: Plectognathi and Pediculatt. 15 Tetrodon viridipunctatus, Day. This appears to be a species of doubtful validity, as Day’s descriptions and figures differ from those of 7. patoca mainly as regards markings. The type is a painted skin, and no other example is known; moreover, the artificial markings on the type do not at all agree with Day’s figure. The specimen, therefore, is hardly even of historical value. Tetrodon immaculatus, Bloch and Schneid. Several specimens have been recorded from both sides of the Bay. The largest specimen in the collection is 21-5 cm. long. The spines in this species are covered with a thick cuticular investment. None of the specimens in the collection have barred sides. Telrodon nigropunctatus, Bloch and Schneid This species was not recorded on the ‘Golden Crown.”’ There are two specimens in the collection. One is covered with fairly long spines, the other almost naked. In the latter the skin is covered with small, closely set, soft tubercles. The spiny specimen has no history: the other is from Port Blair in the Andamans. Tetrodon stellatus, Bloch and Schneid. Recorded from the ‘‘Golden Crown’’ on several occasions. In a series of specimens it does not seem possible to draw any real distinction between Giinther’s varieties « and g, except that variety « probably consists of old and variety 8 of young individuals. : Of Gtinther’s var. y (the Crayracion astrotaenia of Bleeker), we have examined two small specimens; but we do not feel justified in expressing an opinion, in the absence of intermediate forms, as to its distinctness. Tetrodon fluviati/ts, Ham. Buch. This species, which appears to be entirely littoral, estuarine and fluviatile, was not obtained by the “Golden Crown,” but a large series of specimens has been examined. There are two well-marked varieties in the river Ganges and on the Indian coasts. In var. A (figured by Hamilton in his Fishes of the Ganges) there are well- defined pale bars across the back, and the caudal fin is more or less definitely spotted or barred. ‘The ventral surface is usually unpigmented. In var. B (figured by Day in his Fishes of India) the markings are much less distinct, the dorsal surface being marbled rather than barred. The ventral surface is usually pigmented. Var. B has not vet been examined by us from fresh water, but var. A occurs on the Orissa coast as well as far up the Ganges (Sara Ghat). 16 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor Ih; The two varieties were taken together in a trawl on December 6th, Ig09, in brackish water in the Sattermukhi River, Ganges delta. Genus TROPIDICHTHYS, Bleeker. Key to the Indian species of Tropidichthys. A.—A large black ocellus present at the base of the dorsal fin. . (a) Pale ocelli on the snout, sides and caudal fin... T. margaritatus. (a’) Pale ocelli absent from the caudal fin DP bennenn: B.—No dark ocellus at the base of the dorsal fin. (6) Dark markings consisting solely of delicate longitudinal and transverse lines; no pale ocelli 7. iivestigatoris. (b’) Somewhat irregular dark bands present; sides with pale ocelli ae he .. IT. valentim. Bieeker in 1854 referred those species with ridged back and inconspicuous nasal organs to a genus Tvopidichthys. In 1865 he called the species with these characters Psilonotus. Giinther regarded them as a subgenus of Tetrodon under the name of Anosmius, Peters, 1855; and Day treated them as a division of Tetrodon. Tropidichthys marganitatus, Rupp. (Plate 1, fig. 3.) There are four specimens in the Museum, all taken by the ‘“‘Golden Crown’’ off the Madras coast. The lines under the eye are nearly horizontal, and not radiating. There are no horizontal lines on the lower part of the head, and the small ocelli on the tail show a tendency to run together and form ventral bars. Those on the ventral surface are very faint, if they can be distinguished at all. Tropidichthys investigatoris, sp. nov. (Plate i, fig. 4.) Two specimens from the Andamans (St. 239 of the ‘‘Investigator”) at a depth of 55 fathoms. DS Q-TOS iE ese Aen Onn Ce arte Outline of back distinctly angular, the highest point being just above the gill- opening. Depth of body very variable. The whole of head and body, except the tail, covered with small spines which lie parallei to the skin. Each spine with two roots. No dark spot at base of dorsal fin. Fins practically colourless. Back and sides pale brown. Three narrow somewhat sinuous dark lines crossing the snout in front of the eye, the two posterior ones bending inwards towards the orbit; a fourth line joining the orbits near the centre; at least one similar line across ine tgto.} N. ANNANDALE and J. T. JENKINS: Plectognathi and Pediculatt. 8 back ; two or three transverse lines on upper part of each side behind the pectoral ; several short vertical lines beneath the eye. Ventral surface cream-coloured. Il.—Suborder PEDICULATE. LIST OF THE PEDICULATI OF INDIAN SEAS. Fam. LOPHIIDAE 12. Antennarius hispidus.* nek sab Tie : nummifer. 1. Lophius indicus. +§ : : ie ery 14. sf commersoni1.§ Poe i gracilimanus. +§ 3 mutilus. 7§/ Fam. MALTHIDAE. 4. 54 lugubris. t§ p : paeen nS Ithopsis ! ais 5. triradiatus. t§ S> Melanoipss utes i ' 16. - triangularis. t$ Fam. CERATIIDAE. 17. Halieutaea indica.* t§ 6. Lophodolus indicus. t§ 18. nigra. § 7. Melanocoetus sp.§ Lig): ; coccinea. ;§ 8. Ceratias bispinosus.§ 20. » stellata.*+§ g. Oneirodes glomerosus. +§ au » fumosa. +§ 22. Halicmetus ruber. t§ Fam. ANTENNARIIDAF. 23. Dibranchus nasutus. +§ 10. Chaunax pictus.§ 24. rf micropus. f§ Teh a apus. f§ 25. o nudiventer.7§ Of the Indian Pediculati, out of a total of 25 species, 20 are deep-sea forms. Only three have been taken by the ‘‘Golden Crown,’’ viz., Antennarius hispidus, Halveutaea stellataand H.indica. ‘The last isdescribed asa newspecies. All the Indian species are, however, represented in the collection of the Indian Museum. ‘The deep-sea forms of which the types are in this collection are fully described either in Col. Alcock’s Descriptive Catalogue of Deep-Sea Fishes in the Indian Museum, or in Capt. Lloyd’s appendix,” and are figured in the J/lustrations of the Zoology of the R.I.M.S. “ Investigator.” ixev to the Indian Families and Genera of Pediculatt. I.—Head and body depressed, more or less disk-like. A.—Gill opening in lower axil of pectoral. Family I, LOPHIIDAE. Genus Lophius. ' This and other species of Lophiidae which have the second portion of the spinous dorsal obsoles- cent are placed by Goode and Bean in a new genus Lophiodes : see ‘‘Oceanic Ichthyology,’’ Buil. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1895, p- 537- % Mem. Ind. Mus.. vol. ti, No. 3 (1900). 18 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vior.s alae B.—Gill opening above pectoral. Family II, MALTHIDAE. A soft dorsal present. a. (a) Palate edentulous; 2 gills at .. Dibranchus. — (a’) Palate edentulous ; 23 gills Halieutaea. (a”) Teeth on palate and vomers str .. Malthopsis. b.—No soft dorsal .. “ ors .. Halicmetus. II.—Head and body compressed or rounded. A.—Pectoral fin straight. Family III, CERATIIDAE. Skin smooth. (a) A pair of cephalic spines ; a jointed dorsal fila- 2). ment situated behind the head .. .. Lophodolus. (a’) Dorsal filament on snout te .. Melanocoetus. (a”) Two dorsal filaments a: .. Onetrodes. b.—Skin covered with minute prickles a .. Ceratias. B.—Pectoral fin distinctly elbowed. Family IV, ANTENNARIIDAE. (a Body not much compressed; spinous dorsal consisting of I or 2 unprotected tentacles .. Chaunax. (b) Body compressed and elevated ; spinous dorsal consisting of 3 spines, of which the first is tentacular sé oe .. Antennarius. Family MALTHIDAE. Genus HALIEUTAEA, Cuv. & Val. Key to the Indian species of Halieutaea. I.—Under surface of disk covered with perfectly smooth, glandular, nearly transparent skin. Five rays in the dorsal fin 3 en de umOsa: II.—Under surface of disk bearing minute stellate spines or granules covered with skin which is opaque or slightly translucent. A.—Four rays in the dorsal fin. (2) Roof of tentacular cavity extending forward as far as the edge of the disk; caudal and pectoral fins not edged with black a Eeindica: 1gIo. | N. ANNANDALE and J. T. Jenkins: Plectognathi and Pediculatt. 19 (a’) Roof of tentacular cavity not extending to the margin of the disk ; caudal and pectoral fins edged with biack a oe Leestellata: B.—Five rays in the dorsal fin. (6) Disk flat Be as H. migra. (0’) Disk distinctly convex in front .. H. coccinea. Halieutaea indica, sp. nov. (Plate ii, fig. 4.) H. stellata, Day (nec Kitihl), Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, p. 234, fig. 85. Dat WS PA Ala Ee 13. Cig: Tail, excluding the caudal fin, from + to} length of disk. Caudal usually slightly longer than the tail, occasionally of the same length. Length and width of disk approximately equal. Dorsal surface covered with numerous strong subequal spines, many of which are bifid; at the edge many are trifid. Most of the spines have four roots ; at the edge of the disk they project freely and are accompanied by delicate cuticular processes. The anterior extremity of the roof of the tentacular cavity reaches or is slightly in advance of the anterior extremity of the disk, and the aperture of the cavity is vertical, so that the cavity is concealed from above. The strong spine at each side of it projects beyond the margin of the disk. Superciliary ridge with strong spines. Interorbital space equals or slightly exceeds diameter of eye. The ventral surface with minute scattered spines. Colour (in spirit). Dorsal surface white, densely covered with very minute black dots, which are grouped tegether in places to form thin lines and reticulated patterns. Ventral surface white (somewhat translucent) with scattered minute black and opaque white dots. Pectoral fins colourless, caudal fin clouded with grey, occasionally with white, vertical bands. Colour of dorsal surface of living specimens pink. This is undoubtedly the species figured by Day as H. stellata of Kiihl, but it differs from the latter species, amongst other characters, in the following points:— (1) The spines on the dorsal surface are less strongly developed. (2) The extremity of the roof of the tentacular cavity extends at least as far forwards as the edge of the disk. Professor Max Weber, who has been kind enough to examine a specimen, agrees with us in regarding this species as distinct. Hateutaea stellata, Kuhl. (Plate ii, fig. 3.) DPA Ve bse Ns 4. Peo.) Co: Tail, excluding the caudal fin, } length of disk. Caudal fin nearly the same length as the tail. 20 Memoirs of the Indvan Museum. [Mowe wane Disk distinctly broader than long. Dorsal surface covered with’ stout steliate spines, most of which have more than four roots. ‘They vary considerably in size, but none are very smali. Over the greater part of the disk the spines are single At the edge, where they are accompanied by numerous cuticular processes, they have at least four sharp points. The anterior extremity of the roof of the tentacular cavity does not reach the edge of the disk. The aperture of the cavity slopes down- wards and forwards, so that it is partly visible from above. The disk is much flatter than in H. coccinea. Superciliary ridge with strong simple spines. Interorbital space distinctly broader than diameter of eye. Ventral surface with very minute and widely scattered spines. Colour (in spirit). Dorsal surface pinkish grey with numerous black spots, the centre of each of which is much darker than the periphery. These spots tend to be arranged in eight.groups, four on each lateral half of the disk. The most marked group is that on each side of the centre of the mid-dorsal region. The whole of the dorsal surface is covered with minute pigment cells; the ventral surface white. In life the ground colour of the dorsal surface is a deep red. Pectoral and caudal fins white, broadiv edged with black. Dorsal fin black, edged with white. This species appears to reach a much larger size than H. indica. In some. res- pects it resembles H. coccinea, but the disk is much flatter, the spines on the dorsal surface are stouter, and those on the ventral surface are smaller or more widely scattered. "he coloration is also different, and there are only 4 rays in the dorsal. We had proposed to describe this species as new, but notes that Prof. Max Weber has been kind enough to send convince us that we would have been wrong in so doing. Family ANTENNARIIDAE. Genus ANTENNARIUS, Cuv. Key to the Indian species of Antennarius. I.—Skin devoid of spines Skin bearing numerous foliaceous processes .. A. marmoratus. i1.—Skin covered with minute spines. A.—Sides pale with numerous dark streaks, which radiate from the eye and from the pectoral fin.. A /ispidus. B.—Sides variously mottled or spotted. ; (6) First dorsal spine (tentacle) longer than the second a oe of .. A. commersonit. (b’) First dorsal spine not longer than the second A. nummuifer. Antennarius hispidus, Bloch and Schneid. Two specimens have been taken by the ‘‘ Golden Crown ’”’ off the Ganjam coast. There are several others in the collection of the Indian Museum, one of which from tgt0.]| N. ANNANDALE and J. T. JENKINS: Plectognatht and Pediculatz. 2 Dhappa near Calcutta (if the locality is correct) must have been taken in brackish water. The series examined exhibit considerable variation as regards marking, but all the specimens differ from Gtinther’s figure,’ in that the markings on the posterior part of the sides of the body take the form of streaks instead of spots. ‘There is considerable variation in the length of the tentacles and in the form and size of the tuft at its extremity. Day’s figure is taken from a shrivelled and distorted speci- men still in the collection of the Indian Museum. The body is much deeper than he represents it. Antennarius nummifer, Cuv. (Plate i, fig. 5.) If Gunther® iscorrect as to the synonymy of this species, Day’s figure in the Fishes of India’ represents not it but a variety of A. commersonii, Gunth. ‘There is, however, a specimen in the collection of the Indian Museum that agrees fairly well with Bleeker’s figure’ of A. coccinews, which Giinther regards as a representation of the true A. mummifer. It is by no means improbable that these three forms, as well as several others,’ will ultimately prove to be conspecific. Antennarius commersonit (Laceép.). Day’s specimen in the collection of the Indian Museum, although apparently not the one he figured as A. nummifer in the Fishes of India, belongs perhaps to Gtinther’s A. commersonit var- B. The spots, however, are less numerous than in the individuals figured by the latter author. There are several young specimens in the collection (length from 28 to 42 mm.) which agree fairly well with the definition and figure of var. A of the same species, except that the first dorsal spine is dis- tinctly shorter than the second. Perhaps they are the young of that form. These specimens are from Bombay. 1 «Die Fische der Siidsee,’’ vol. v, Journ. Mus. God., Hamburg, 1876—81, pl. 99, fig. A. » Tbtd., p. 163, pls. too—ro6. S Plate lise, fis 2. + Atlas Ichthyologique, vol. v, pl. exevil, fig. 2 (1865). 5 Notably A. ivzdens (Schlegel); see Pietschmann in Ann. k. k. Naturh. Hofmus., vol. xxiii, p. 1, pl. i (Vienna, 1909). Ai Mihai PL at a =f tTY 5 At / 1 : rs 5 sal . rh i i , 5 fg] > : f f D id J 5 } : a re i: aay: ab VAN Pr ats | Bi i f ity ri ivenay f fa ane pili y “ae ad ® /Sce ori Gr UF nets) na i mn aed. | ec at ie : ye iar yas a Ri oe te PART IV.—ON A COLLECTION OF INDIAN PLEURONECTIDAE. By J. T. Jenkins, D.Sc. (Wales), Superintendent, Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries. This collection was for the most part obtained by the Bengal Government’s steam trawler the ‘‘ Golden Crown”’ in the Bay of Bengal during 1908-09. A few specimens from the Trivandrum Museum, from the Indian Marine Survey collection, and several collected by Dr. Annandale on Puri beach are also included. Most of the species figured in the accompanying plate (pl. iii) have been described in the Records of the Indian Museum, vol. v, pp. 123—1 40 (1910). So far as the observations of the ‘‘ Golden Crown”’ extended it would appear that the Pleuronectidae are not so abundant in the Bay of Bengal between to and 35 fathoms as they are on similar ground in British waters. The genus Pleuronectes, which is frequently taken in enormous quantities in the seas of Northern Europe, and is a valuable commercial fish, is entirely absent in the Bay, and its place is apparently taken by the genera Pseudorhombus and Psettodes. At any rate these genera are found in localities which would in England be inhabited by Plewronectes. The habitat of the two common species of Pseudorhombus, P. arsius and P. javanicus, is similar to that of the Dab (Pleuronectes limanda), while Psettodes erumei may be taken to be the representative of the Flounder (Pleuronectes flesus) in Indian waters. Of the ‘‘soles,”’ the genera Cynoglossus and Synaptura are characteristic of depths between ro and 35 fathoms, while Plagusta, which was rarely taken on the ‘‘Golden Crown,’’ would appear to frequent shallower areas since it is commonly taken by the beach fishermen at Puri. The commonest sole in the Bay is Cynoglos- sus macrolepidotus, and this species formed the bulk of the commercial “‘sole”’ of the ‘‘Golden Crown.’’ So far as the limited observations in the Sunderbuns extended, it seems that Cynoglossus extends well into the estuaries, at any rate specimens were captured at Morrelganj and Kan Rondighee. At the latter place the salinity is very slight, the reading with the Kiel araeometer being I-0090. PLEURONECTIDAE. PSETTODES, Bennett. Psettodes erumet, Bloch and Schneid. Numerous specimens of this species were obtained by the ‘‘Golden Crown.’’ It is especially abundant on the muddy grounds off the entrance to the Eastern Chan- nel (mouth of the Hughli). 24 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [.V01s alee Three specimens were added to the Museum collection from the ‘Golden Crown.”’ No. Locality. Length. 2139. Off Elephant Pt., Arakan Coast, July, Ig09 Re Sia) Aenay 3634. Off Santapalii, Madras Presidency, October, Ig09 .. 176 ,, 3644. Off Gopalpur, re aah s rs J: 9827-8 ee PSEUDORHOMBUS, Bleeker. Three species of Pseudovhombus are represented in the coilection, v2z.:— Pseudorhombus arvsius, Bleeker. Pseudorhombus javanicus, Bleeker. Pseudorhombus russellit, Gray. As is the case in British Pieuronectidae, there is a considerable variation in colour and marking within the limits of a single species. This is especially notice- able in the case of the specimens of Pseudorhombus arsius. The presence of interme- diate specimens between the extreme colour varieties, however, renders it certain that only one species is represented. Pseudorhombus arsius, Bleeker. This species is distinguished from the nearly related P. javanicus by the larger number of dorsal fin rays (over 70) and the enlarged anterior teeth. No. Locality. Length. F 2132 Off Elephant Pt., Arakan Coast, “Golden Crown” .. Kf ae Pe tSs5renis, 2 = bud beach Orme NeAnmandale inns. 5. |) 2or8vems: F 2432 ‘Ten - specimens. Balasore Bay, “Golden Crown” ae ote ot) LOPE.) ROPpano ee 21-7, 22:8) 23°73. Baby 25:8, 20:4. 27- 1 cms: F 244° Balasore Bay, ‘‘Golden Crown” .. i | 2a. OR CES: F 3422 Five specimens, namely :-— Pe Pe Pe Pande? aPurt beach eireny Annandale ee ae oe ESI peor nel Gyan 21-5 21-0) ems: F $4243 = S. Orissa, ‘Golden Crown’ ’ =e oe) lg Ones. Pseudorhombus javanicus, Bleeker. Day in his description of this species says “ A well-developed pre-anal spine,’’ whereas in P. arsvus the ‘‘ pre-anal spine, when present, is but slightly apparent.’’ According to my observations this spine is occasionally well-developed (vide Nos. F *}** or F *422, P.) and more often absent (vide other specimens). Possibly IQIo. | J. T. Jenkins: Indian Pleuronectidae. 2 on this is a sexual difference; at any rate it does not serve as a specific distinction from P. arsius. It will be noticed that the specimens of P. javanicus are on the average smaller than those of P. arsius. No. Locality. Length. F 2145 Off Elephant Point, Arakan Coast, “Golden Crown” .. es a os (L2-qrems: Ff 3441 Puri beach, Dr. N. Annandale .. .. 16°6 cms. Ff 2242 Four specimens—P,, P., P,, P, Puri beach, Dr. N. Annandale .. ae Me LAR noes ano. and 1674 cms. Pseudorhombus russelli1, Gray. Day evidently regards this species as identical with P. arsius, but from an examination of this collection I am convinced that the species are distinct. 12242. Off Orissa Coast, Marine Survey. The Indian species of Pseudorhombus may be distinguished by the following characteristics :— ‘ Dorsal fin rays over 70 .. P. arsius, Bleeker. Anterior teeth enlarged } Dorsal fin rays 70 or less .. P. javanicus, Bleeker. (Longest dorsal rays at com- Teeth minute _. | mencement of posterior ; halivofitin' > 174 1. PB. yussellia, Gray: (Anterior dorsal rays elevated P. triocellatus, Bl. Sch. The following table gives the height, length, ratio of height to length of body (inclusive of caudal) and the number of dorsal and ventral fin rays in the various specimens of Pseudorhombus examined :— No. Length; iteh| Height. lRatio H. to L.| Dorsal fin rays. ee ane Species. 2142 185 83 | 22 74 6 P. arswus. 3438 208 go 23 7X1 6 4p 343015 271 120 | 22 74 | 6 >» mice | 246 | 104 2°4 75 | 6 o 99 156 258 | 108 | 2°4 75 | 6 »3 1be 261 | 115 | 223 | 73 6 3 > 15d 233 | 95 2°5 74 | 6 > + 15e 194 | 81 24 76 | 6 >» 26 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. (Vor. II, | Ventral fin) No. Length, mm. | Height. eae H. to Bin fin rays. | fae, | Species. 3439 15¢ | 228 | 94 | 2°4 74 6 P. arstus. 5p A 217 g2 | 2°3 73 6 Ae 55 SE | 161 69 | 23 | 75 6 Ae 1» Bi | 169 71 2°4 | 73 6 » 3440 249 105 2K 76 6 = 344201 157 | 2°5 | 74 6 » 5p 1 216 89 | 24 | 73 6 9» son 184 83 2°2 75 6 5 33) D8 215 gl 2:4 71 6 re As pH 195 87 22 2 6 oe 3443 178 73 2°4 76 6 3 2143 | 129 53 | 2°4 | 69 6 P. javanicus. 3441 | 166 70 2°4 70 6 | i 3442p4 133 56 2°4 68 6 | x 59 PS 137 58 2°4 69 | 5 % aaeDe 164 69 2°4 68 | 6 | 5 sr 114 48 uae hoa. us 12242 107 45 24 69 6 P. russellit. PLATOPHRYS, Swainson. Platophrys was sparingly obtained by the ‘‘Golden Crown.’’ Occasionally it was met with in rough ground off the Arakan Coast in the neighbourhood of Oyster Island. One species only was taken. Platophrys pantherinus, Rupp. 2622. Arakan Coast, January, 1909. Length, 9°6 cms. RHOMBOIDICHTHYS, Bleeker. ’ At least two species are met with in the ‘‘Golden Crown’’ collection, both being obtained off the Arakan Coast in January, 1909, in the same locality as Platophrys pantherinus. Neither species had previously been recorded from the Arakan Coast. Rhomboidichthys valderostratus, Alcock. 2623. Arakan Coast, January, 1909. Length, 8:2 and 7°5 cms. 2624. ) 2) oP) d3 2) 6:2, mee fa, and Li. cms. to NI roto. | J. T. Jenxins: Indian Pleuronectidae. Rhomboidichthys azureus, Alcock. 2625. Arakan Coast, January, 1909. Length, 7°6 cms. BRACHYPLEURA, Gunther. Brachypleura xanthosticta, Alcock. This species was recorded from the Ganjam Coast, whence Alcock’s type speci- mens were obtained, and also off the entrance to the Eastern Channel at the mouth of the Hughli. Length. F 3426, ¢ Off Gopalpur, Ganjam Coast, 24 fathoms, Feb., 1909 .. 11:2 cms. F 3426a, 2 a ee a pak Osta F 3449, ¢ »» ce 7 a pO Oios F 3427, ¢@ Off Pilot Ship, Eastern Channel, 25th Feb., 1909 .. 7-2 ,, PSETTYLIS, Alcock. This genus was established by Alcock! in 1890 for a number of Pleuronectids allied to Rhombotdichthys. One of the generic characters as given by Alcock is ‘‘ no scales’’* but I agree with Johnstone’ that the body is covered with scales which are cycloid, except at the bases of the dorsal and anal fins, on the ocular side, where they are ctenoid. The single specimen in the collection is Psettylis ocellata. Psettylis ocellata, Alcock. F #188) Indian Marine Survey Station 387, 49-40 fathoms. WateNe ns 2540 seonee Beggs 45n SCIANECTES, Alcock. Scianectes macrophthalmus, Alcock. This species was described by Alcock* from a specimen taken at a depth of 100 fathoms off Akyab. It was obtained in much shallower water by the ‘‘ Golden Crown’’ off Puri on March 15th, 1goo. Length. F 3436, Puri, Orissa Coast, March, 1909 .. 43 ye k2-35cms: F 3436a so, x i : eh TOV 6s eS a) dian Marine survey Station! 387, 490-40 tathoms: Watet5. 2Z5aIN. Woe. o3. 45,2. 1 Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), vi, 1890, p. 436. * Ibid., p. 437, and Descriptive Catalogue of the Indian deep-sea Fishes in the Indian Museum, Calcutta, 1899, p. 124. 3 Rep. Ceylon Pearl Oyster Fish., pt. ii, p. 207 (Roy. Soc. Lond., 1904). + See Journ. As. Soc. Beng., vol. lviii, pt. ii, No. 3, 1889. 28 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. iVor.-l0h SOLEA, Klein. When fishing off the Ganjam Coast on the “Golden Crown,” the trawl brought up a specimen of what at first sight appeared to bea Synaptura zebra or allied species. The caudal fin was, however, distinctly separate from the vertical fins. Subsequently another specimen was obtained in the same locality. The term ‘‘Synaptura’”’ was first applied by Cantor,’ to distinguish a sub- genus of Solea, in which the caudal, dorsal and anal fins are all united. In other res- pects the subgenus has the general structure of Solea. Subsequently, when looking through some of the ‘‘Investigator’’ Pleuronectidae, three specimens were found provisionally labelled “‘ Svnaptura quagga,’’ one of which was undoubtedly Synaptura cornuta (Kaup) (see below), and the other two showed the same distinction of the caudal fin, and are consequently referred, together with the two ‘‘Golden Crown” specimens, to a new species of Solea, here described as Solea synapturoides. Solea synapturoides, sp. nov. (Plate iii, figs. 4, 4a, 40.) Type specimen F 242°. 476.0 Vins), Rar Aslona lelcercago-o3n Car. l,ength of head 54, height of body 3 in total length inclusive of caudal. The eyes are situated close together less than half a diameter apart, the upper being slightly in advance of the lower. Diameter 5 in length of head and about a diameter or slightly more from end of snout. Nostrils on coloured side at end of tube, which is situated just anterior to the lower orbit. Fins.-—Dorsal and anal rays unbranched. Both pectorals present. Colour.—Slate-coloured, with nine dark transverse unbranched bands on body and seven or eight on head. Locality —Off Ganjam Coast, 24-30 fathoms. Obtained on the Steam Trawler “ Golden Crown.’’ Acuirus, Lacepede. One specimen of this genus was identified in the ‘‘Golden Crown ’’ collection, namely, Achirus maculatus, Bl. Schn., taken off the Ganjam district of the Madras Presidency in March, 1909. Achirus maculatus, Bloch and Schneid. F 3428. Ganjam Coast, off Sonapur, March, Ig09. Length 10-0 cms.; depth 20 to 25 fathoms. SyNAPTuRA, Cantor. ‘There are four species of Synaptura represented in the collection, and of these two were recorded on the ‘‘Golden Crown.’’ | « Catalogue of Malayan Fishes,’’ Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, vol. xviii, p. 1204. ‘Igto. | J. T. Jenkins: Indian Pleuronectidae. 20 Synaptura commersoniana, Lacép. F 2328. Off Burmese (Arakan) Coast, 17th November, 1908. Tength, 23-4 cms. “Golden Crown.” Synaptura altipinnis, Alcock. A specimen of this species was taken by the ‘‘Golden Crown’’ off the Ganjam Coast in from 24—30 fathoms. Alcock’s type was recorded from the Vizagapatam Coast from similar depths (25 fathoms). F 2472. Ganjam Coast, 24—30 fathoms, February, 1909. Length, 18-0 cms. ‘“Golden Crown.”’ Synaptura orientalis, Bloch and Schneid. F 4372, Quilon, Trivandrum Museum, R. S. N. Pillay coll. F 4186) Trivandrum Synapture cornuta (Kaup). A specimen of this species occurs in the collection. It had been labelled provi- sionally ‘“‘ Synaptura quagga.’ There can, however, be no doubt, from the cycloid scales and the first dorsal ray being thickened and prolonged, that the specimen belongs to this species. Length. F 823, Off Malabar Coast, 68 fathoms, Marine Survey Se IO Gass PLaGusia, Cuvier. The genus Plagusia appears to be an inshore genus At any rate, it is far commoner on Puri beach than in the ‘‘Golden Crown’’ hauls. P. bilineata was occasionally taken on the ‘‘Golden Crown.’ Both species are represented in the collection. Plagusva bilineata, Bloch. Length. F 3431, Ganjam Coast, ‘‘Golden Crown,’’ March, 1909. kOe 7.cus: F 34314, 3 # Seay eLOs2 Plagusta marmorata, Bleeker. F 4127, young specimen, Puri beach, Dr. Annandale. APHORISTIA, Kaup. There is one damaged Pleuronectid in the collection which is referable to the above genus. In this specimen the head is badly damaged, and it is not possible to determine the extension of the mouth-cleft with reference to the eyes. Both sides of the body are coloured, and there are no cross-bands, consequently the species is either A phoristia wood-masoni, Alcock, or Aphoristia gilesi1, Alcock. The fact that 30 Memoirs of the Indian Museum. Vor. mis the anal fin commences a little way behind the ventral and not closely adjacent to it leads me to place this specimen in the former species, which has previousiy been recorded from the Andaman Sea. ' A phoristia wood-masom, Alcock. F 114° Station 332, Indian Marine Survey, 279 fathoms. Wat: No 10721) Wong 92. A6L. CynocLossus, Ham. Buch. At least three species were obtained on the ‘‘Golden Crown” and of these Cynoglossus macrolepidotus was by far the commonest, this species being the commer- cial ‘‘sole’’ of the ‘‘Golden Crown.” Cynoglossus macrolepidotus , Bleeker. F 3648, Off Pilot Ship, Eastern Channel, mouthof Hughli, Length. Feb., 1909 Bs in a Sib 5 ses: F 3445, Off Puri, Orissa Coast, September, 1908 es 2 2COME re F 34454, 5, 05 >» ” -. 230 ,, Cynoglossus semifasciatus, Day. F 3437, Puri Coast, ‘‘Golden Crown,” March, 1909 .. Length, 11-4 cms. Cynoglossus quadrilineatus, Bleeker. ) F 3444, Elephant Pt., Arakan Coast, ‘‘ Golden Crown,’ July, 1908 oe ws 2. Length. 267 ems: Cynoglossus puncticeps, Richardson. F #483 Trivandrum, Trivandrum Museum. F 2182 i hee ”) 5) ”) = Cynoglossus lida, Bleeker. There are two specimens in the collection from the Trivandrum Museum which more nearly resemble this species than any other. The number of rows of scales between the lateral lines on the coloured side is slightly higher than that given by Day as characteristic for the species, being from 16 to 17 instead of 13. In other respects the resemblance is very close. One of the specimens (F +7,**) has the coloured side marked with blackish dots. There is, however, a great amount of colour 1 See Alcock, Journ. As. Soc. Beng., vol. lviii, part ii, No. 3, 1889, p. 294. IQIO. | J. T. Jenkins: Indian Pleuronectidae. 31 variation amongst Pleuronectids, and consequently it would be safer to regard both these specimens as belonging to the same species. F 4178 Trivandrum, Trivandrum Museum. F 4188 (var. punctatus). ) 2) 3) + eee EEE EOE ~~ an EXPLANATION OF PLATE I. Fic. 1.—Trygon fluviatilis (much reduced). 2.—Tetrodon spinosissimus, =< 14, 3.—Tropidichthys margaritatus, x Is. 5 4 é investigatoris, sp. NOV., x I yy 5-—Antennarius nummifer, x It. bole kqze G31 asotUuls TATE EN NG a) IS) sk Ss eU Met gD) OI6L TL 1°A SOW GANT ee ie EXPLANATION OF PLAT FIGS. I, 1a, 1b.—Uvogymnus asperrimus (young ¢): size. Fic. 2.—Aetobatis narinant (young ¢ ), reduced. » 3-—Halieutaea stellata, reduced. Cele . indica, sp. nov., nat. size. ~ fi 8) ho ” ey 352 ss. Vou. If, 1910. la. Bemrose L# Derby. Photo. by A.C. Chowdhary. EXPLANATION OF PLATE III. Fic. 1.—Plagusia obscura, Jenkins. (Described Rec. Ind. Mus., v, p. 134.) Ia.— ,, mn scale from coloured side of body. Ib.— ,, Pe x blind %) +) +) 2.—Solea sindensis, Jenkins. (Described zbid., p. 133.) 2a and 2b.—Scales from coloured and from blind side of body of Solea sindensis, x 16. 3.—Cynoglossus acinaces, Jenkins. (Described, thid., p. 130.) 3a and 36.—Scales from coloured and from blind side of body of Cynoglossus acinaces, x 16. 4. Solea synapturoides, sp. nov. 4a and 4b.—Scales from coloured and from blind side of body of Solea synapturoides, x 8. 5.—Cynoglossus deltae, Jenkins, x 2. (Described zbid., p. 130.) 5a and 5b.—Scales from coloured and from blind side of body of Cyne- glossus deltae, x 106. : ( rd oe et ie 7 Mem Bemrose, Lt¢ Derby: INDIAN PLEURONECTIDA. dul, del. A.C.Chowdhary & S.C.Mon argue ae y, o \ j r 4 , a . ’ “ “‘ y + ; ‘ ’ Fy , { - A wares . i ‘ n 5 : : ‘ ; Ps . .. ~ b i x PAG Oe } Welz 7 ' = © RECORDS of the INDIAN MUSEUM (A JOURNAL OF INDIAN ZOOLOGY) Vol. 1, 1907. Part I —Contributions to the Fauna of the Arabian Sea. Records of Hemiptera and Hymenoptera from the Himalayas. Further notes on Indian Freshwater Entomostraca. The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, I—III. A Sporozoon from the Heart of a Cow. Miscellanea. Part II.—Revision of the Oriental Stratiomyide. Description of an Oligochete Worm allied to Chetogaster. The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, IV. Further Note on a Polyzoon from the Himalayas. Reports on a collection of Batrachia, Reptiles and Fish from Nepal and the Western Himalayas. ‘The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, V. Notes on Oriental Diptera, I and II. Miscellanea. Part III,—Report on the Marine Polyzoa in the collection of the Indian Museum. The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, VI. A third note on Earwigs (Dermaptera) in the Indian Museum, with the descrip- tion of a new species. Notes on Oriental Diptera, III. Description of a new snake from Nepal. Notes on a col- lection of marketable fish from Akyab, with a description of a new species of Lactarius. Description cf two fresh- water Oligochete Worms from the Punjab. Notes on Phosphorescence in Marine Animals. Notes on the rats of Dacca, Eastern Bengal. Notes on Freshwater Sponges, I—V. Miscellanea. Part IV.—Nudiclava monocanthi, the type of a new genus of Hydroids parasitic on Fish. Preliminary descriptions of three new Nycteribiide from India, Annotated Catalogue of Oriental Culicide. Notes on Oriental Diptera. Notes on Freshwater Sponges, VI, VII. Description of a new Cyprinid Fish of the genus Danio from Upper Burma. Miscellanea. Vol. I, 1908-1909. Pari I.—The retirement of Lieut-Col. Alcock, with a list of his papers, etc., on Indian Zoology. The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, VII. Description of a New Dictyonine Sponge from the Indian Ocean. Notes“on Freshwater Sponges, VIII. Remarkable cases of variation, I. Description of a new species of Lizard of the genus Salea, from Assam, The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, VIII Description of a new Cavernicolous Phasgonurid from Lower Siam. Descriptions of new species of Marine and Freshwater Shells in the collection of the Indian Museum. Notes on Oriental Syrphide, I. Description of a new variety of Spongilla lovicata. Notes on Oriental Diptera, V. Miscellanea, Part II.—Gordiens du Musée Indien. The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, IX. Description of a new species of Danio from Lower Burma, Rhynchota Malayana, I. Cimex votundatus, Signoret. Notes on Freshwater Sponges, IX. Fruit Bats of the genus Pteropus inhabiting the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelagos A new species of Sun-Bird obtained near Darjiling. Three Indian Phylactolemata. Ontwo new species of Eagle- Rays (Myliobatide). Description of a new species of the genus Sesarma, Say., from the Andaman Islands. Des- criptions of new species of Land, Marine, and Freshwater Shells from the Andaman Islands. Part III.—The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Canning, Lower Bengal, X, XI. On some Oriental Solifuge with descriptions of new forms. ‘The difference between the Takin (Budorcas) from the Mishmi Hills and that from Tibet, with notes on variation displayed by the former. On Caridina nilotica (Roux) and its varieties. Description of a new species of Charaxes from the Bhutan Frontier. First Report on the Collection of Culicide and Corethridz in the Indian Museum, with descriptions of new genera and species. Miscellanea. Part IV.—Report on a collection of aquatic animals made in Tibet by Capt. F. H. Stewart n 1907, I. Notes on Aculeate Hymenoptera in the Indian Museum, I. Indian Psychodide. Description of a new species of mouse from the Madura District, Madras. Some Cleride of the Indian Museum. The Fauna of Brackish Ponds at Port Can- ning, Lower Bengal, XII. Description of a new species of Saw-Fish captured off the Burma Coast. A new Sting Ray of the genus Trygon from the Bay of Bengal. New Micro-lepidoptera from India and Burma. Notes on some Chrysomelid Beetles in the collection of the Indian Museum. Six new Cicindeline from the Oriental Region. Des- cription of a new slug from Tibet. Part V.—Revision of the Oriental Leptide. Revised and annotated Catalogue of Oriental Bombylide, with descriptions of new species. Vol. III, 1909. Part I.—The Races of Indian Rats, Part II.—Notes on Freshwater Sponges, X. Report on a collection of aquatic animals made in Tibet by Capt. F. H. Stewart in 1907, II. Note on some amphibious Cockroaches. Description de quelques nouvelles Cécidomyies des Indes. Description of new land and marine shells from Ceylon and S. India. Description of two new species of Caranx from the Bay of Bengal. Remarks on some little known Indian Ophidia. Remarks on some forms of Dipsadomorphus. A pelagic Sea~Anemone without tentacles. Rhynchota Malayana, IT. Part 1II.—Notes on the Neuroptera in the collection of the Indian Museum. New Indian Leptide and Bombylide, with a note on Comastes, Os. Sac., v. Hetevostylum, Macq. Notes on the Trichoptera iu the collection of the Indian Museum. Diagnoses of new species and varieties of Freshwater Crabs, 1—3. Report on a small collection of Lizards from Travancore. Description of three new Cicindeline from Borneo. The relation between fertility and normality in Rats. Description of a Barnacle of the genus Scalpellum from Malaysia. The Hemipterous family Polyctenidz. Notes on Freshwater Sponges, XI. Descriptions of two new shells from S. India. Preliminary note yn a new genus of Phylactolematous Polyzoa. Miscellanea. | V.—Description of a minute Hymenopterous insect from Calcutta. The Insect Fauna of Tirhut, No. 1. Descrip- ons of new species of Botia and Nemachilus. New Oriental Sepsine. A new species of. Fredericella from Indian kes. Diagnoses of new species and varieties of freshwater crabs, No. 4. On some new or little-known Mygalo- iorph spiders from the Oriental region and Australasia. Saye “Vol. W, 1910. N 0. I. —Second fepatLe on™ the Gallet on 1 of Culicidee i in the Indian Meee with’ descriptions of new genera and species. 2 Nos. II and III:—The Indian species of Papataci Fly (Phlebotomus). Taxonomic values in Culicide. "No. [V.—Revision of the Oriental bioad-sucking. Muscidee (Siomoxine, Philematomyia, Aust., and ae esi RA hema gen. nov.). : : ‘Vol. V, 1910. Part I.—The Hydroids of the Indian Museum, I. Notes on Freshwater Spongés, XII. Deceuahaes of 1 new shells in the collection of the Indian Museum from Burma, Siam and the Bay of Bengal. Materials fot-a révision of the 'Phylactolematous Polyzoa of India. _Studies on the aquatic Oligocheeta: of the ES Se, -An SS Burmese ‘Frog allied to Rana tigrina. Miscellanea. Part II,—Description d’Ophiures nouvelles provenant des derniéres éampagnes de «1 Tayestipatoe 3 dans POcéan Indien. Description d’ Holothuries nouvelles appartenant au Musée Indien.- The races of Indian rats, IT. ~ Descrip- tion of a new species of Sculpellum from the Andaman Sea. - Descriptions .of five new species of. marine ‘shells. ides thé Bay of Bengal. Notes on fish from India and Persia, with descriptions of new species. Part III.=-A new genus of Psychodid Diptera from the Himalayas and Travancore. The Indian barnacles of the sabe nf Seca genus Smilium, with remarks on the classification of the genus Scalpellum. Ona subspecies of Scutigerella ungnicu- lata, Hausen, found in Calcutta. The distribution of the Oriental Scolopendride. Notes on Decapodain the Indian’ —— Musoum, I. Description of anew species of Nemvochilus froni Northern India. Notes on the larvz of Toxorhynchiles — immisericors, Wilk. Description of a South Indian frog allied to Rana corrugata of Ceylon. Contributions to the fauna of Yunnan, Introduction and Part I. Miscellanea: § : MEMOIRS of the INDIAN MUSEUM Vol. I. ‘No. 1.—An account of the Rats of Calcutta. By W.C. Hossacx. Rs. 978 *. No. 2.—An account of the Internal Analony of Bathynomus giganteus. 7 By: R. Es Lroyp. Rs.2. . : el Sie No. 3, A and B. —The Oligochasta ot India, Nepal, Ceylon: ara and the Andaman- sar Islands, with an account of the anatomy of certain aquatic forms. By W. - _ MICHAELSEN and J. STEPHENSON. Rs. 4-8. > os Bees “No. 4.—Investigator SICAYIUS, a Gephyrean Worm hitherto ‘undescribed, the a of = ~ a new order. - By F. H. STEWART. Rs 27 : Fe POE aes ei, Vol. Ns ea ee panes No. I. —Report on the Fishes “taken ss the ‘Bengal Fisheries Steamer “Golden Crown.” Part I. —Batoidei. By N. ANNANDALE. Rs. 2. No. 2.An account of the Indian Citripedia Pedunculata. Part I. Family Lepa- didze: (sensu stricto). By N. ANNANDALE. ‘Rs..2. ~No. 3.—A description of the deep- sea. fish caught by the R.I. M. S. “Ship 3 Investiga- ‘tor’’ since the year Igoo,-with supposed. evidence of mutation in Malthopsts, and Illustrations of the Zoology of the R.I.M.S. Ship “ Tnyestieaion ” Fishes Plates XLIV—L, 1909. . By R. E. Luoyp. Rs. 4-8. No. 4 Etude sur les Chironomides des Indes Orientales, avec description de quelque: ae espéces d’ Egypte. Pate Js OES RS 2: f | ‘ ry Ne rol te oy, eM 3 See 1s ley re F; Bi aes Py Res: ; Sy i : IBRARIES UTION L SMITHSONIAN INS NT i 1826 79 | 3 | More ee soe : dre eel near ae: Fel een ry poles ESO Aa aad amr oe ees ee