Grenus R i t a , Bleeker.
R i t a s a c e e d o t u m , n . s., Pl. LXXIX, fig. 3 .
The humeral plate is considerably shorter than the head, and is three-fourths the
total length of the occipital scute. I t is rounded and broad posteriorly ; its total
length is 4*85 inches, by 1*90 inches in greatest breadth. Its posterior margin is on
a line with the posterior margin of the dorsal scute. The granulation is coarse, and
the granules are arranged in concentric lines, which become more pronounced as they
recede from the anterior extremity of the scute. The skin clothing the bone in life
is so exceedingly thin that the granulations are distinctly visible. The occipital
scute is coarsely granular, the granules tending to assume in many cases the appearance
of rounded tubercles, which arrangement prevails. There is no linear distribution.
The scute is notched in front. Its lateral margin has a sinuous and back-
wardly expanding outline, until opposite to the bones of the pectoral fin, beyond
which the occipital scute rapidly contracts, the lateral margin of the first portion of
the contraction being marked by two notches corresponding to the articulation with
the lateral or supra-branchiai scute, but posterior to this the margin of the occipital is
straight. Anterior to the lateral, it attains its greatest breadth, 3*77, while its
total length along its mesial line is 6*07. The breadth posteriorly is about one-
third of its greatest breadth measured transversely in a straight line. I t fits in
posteriorly to the dorsal scute by a concave or notched posterior border, and the
dorsal plate anteriorly is as broad as the corresponding opposed surface of the
occipital, and its granulations are similar. The dorsal expands posteriorly, and its
total length measured in the mesial line to a line drawn between the ends of its
lateral extremities is one-third the total length of the occipital. Its breadth
anteriorly is 1*"20 and posteriorly from side to side 1*"65. The dorsal spine is
strong, but short, and only equals about the length of the humeral plate, viz., 4*"45.
The pectoral spine is very strong and longer than the dorsal spine, exceeding the
humeral plate by about one-seventh of the length of the latter.
D o r s a l 1— 6 ; a n a l 1 4 ; p e c to r a l 1— 1 0 .
The upper half of body is brownish-olive, more or less suffusing the ventral
surface, behind the ventral fins. Fins brown on both aspects. Eye a transverse
elipse margined with golden, the scloritic being brownish-golden. Diameter of
eye -5 0 inch. Distance of eye from angle of mouth 1*"18. Anterior nostrils above
upper lip 0 * '3 6 . Distance between anterior nostrils 1*"75. Posterior nostrils
distant from eye 0*"68. Posterior nostrils from angle of mouth 1*"33. Length of
feeler of posterior nostrils 1*"50. Length of maxillary feelers 4 * '2 5 . Length of
mandibular feelers 3*"81.
Inches.
Total length of fish to bifurcation of tail . . .• . . . • . . 27*75
■ Distance o f pectoral fin from snout . . . . . • • • 6‘00
Basal breadth of pectoral fin . . . . . . . • • 1*75
Pectoral fin to ventral ........................................................... 7*75
Ventral to anal . . . . . . . . . . . . 3*25
Basal length of anal . . . . . . . . . . . . 2*43
Inches.
Posterior margin of anal to c a u d a l ..................................................................... ......... 2*38
Depth of base of caudal ..................................................2 25
Depth through anterior margin of v e n t r a l ..................................................... . . 6*75
Dorsal fin from snout over curve of back . . 11*50
Basal length of dorsal .............................................. 3*75
Distance between tips of caudals . . . . . . . . . . . 10*50 |
„ „ pectorals over back . . . . . . . .... . . 11*37
Posterior dorsal from anterior dorsal . . , . . . . . 513
Basal length of posterior dorsal .............................................. 3*13
The air-bladder is of considerable size and is pear-shaped, with a narrow and
short pedicle, against which the kidneys are opposed. On laying it open, it is found
to be nearly divided in two longitudinally by a septum, which anteriorly expands
into two pillars with a posteriorly directed concavity between them, and in which
the air passage is found to open, the tube appearing on the pharynx after an interval
of 4 ’2 5 inches. The tube is of considerable capacity, and freely admits a probe,
its pharyngeal orifice being rather wide and patulous. The inner surface of the
air-bladder is lined with a delicate, almost gelatinous membrane, which is easily
separated from its glistening surface. The length and breadth of the air-bladder are
about 6 inches.
The intestine, in the first 1 5 inches of its extent, is thrown into fine wavy persistent
rugae, which are neither so numerous nor so strongly marked after the first
seven inches of the intestine are passed. In the remainder of its course, the intestine
is quite smooth, and at 3 3 inches from the pylorus the commencement of a large
intestine is indicated by the presence of a well defined valvular constriction, beyond
which the extent of the first is 21 inches,, so that the length of the intestine is twice
the length of the body of the fish. The generative tubes open in a common cavity
immediately above the termination of the urinary aperture at the base of its papilla.
They are of considerable capacity, and easily admit the passage of a probe one-tenth
of an inch in diameter. The gall bladder is oval and of moderate size. %
The external wall of the intestine was covered with round nodules, each of which
contained a little filiform cystic worm.
In that long reach of the Irawady in which the pagoda of Thingadaw occurs,
this fish is considered very sacred and is under royal protection, a mandate of
the sovereign existing which makes the death of one of these fish by hook or by net
a very serious offence, and fishing for 3 miles above and below the little island of
Thingadaw is prohibited. The fish are daily fed by the priests who reside on the
ama.ll rocky islet and also by passing devotees.
The most interesting feature, however, connected with this fish is the peculiar
habit it has of responding at great distances to the call of tit-tit when oft
repeated. After many calls of tit-tit, I observed the fishes, at some considerable
distance off, rise to the surface, apparently answering to the call by making straight
for the banks of the island, where they soon showed themselves. Many were of great
size, measuring, in all likelihood, nearly 5 feet in length. They were so tame that they
raised their heads above water to be fed, and even permitted me to introduce my hand
n 5
I