MARINE FISHES. 203 



TELEOSTEI. 

 SCLEKODEKMI. 



Monacaiithus choirocephalus (Bleeker). 

 Two specimens from pearl banks oft" Aripu. 



Monacanthus setifer, Bennett. 



One specimen from the Aripu pearl banks. The skin is velvety and the "pile" is 

 markedly higher on the body between the second dorsal and anal fin than elsewhere. 

 The dorsal spine has 4 very prominent barbs on either posterolateral margin, and 

 each of these barbs bears a fleshy tentacle which is leafdike and serrated on both 

 edges. There are somewhat similar tentacles on the body. 



Monacanthus tonientosus (Linn.). Plate I., fig. 2. 



Height of body (including ventral spine, but not including dorsal spine) ^ of the 

 total length ; dorsal spine about 4 in the total length ; diameter of eye about \ the 

 length of the dorsal spine. Eyes above and in front of the gill slits. 



Radial formula : D. 27 ; A. 27 ; P. 12 ; C. 12. 



Dorsal spine with 4 rows of barbs directed downwards. The 2 anterior rows 

 are closer together than the posterior ones, about 5 barbs in each row. A number 

 of smaller barbs irregularly arranged at the base of the spine. Ventral spine very 

 rough with numerous spinules, G of which are larger than the rest and are arranged 

 round the base of the spine. A thick membrane joins the spine to the ventral 

 body wall. 



Lateral line with two obtuse angles. 



The ground colour (in spirit) is light brown, with dark longitudinal, but rather 

 irregular bars. 



Skin velvety to the touch, covered with minute spines. 



One immature specimen, 1*4 inches long, was found in the Gulf of Manaar. 



Triacanthus brevirostris, Temm. and Schleg. 

 One specimen from pearl banks off Aripu. 



Ostracion turritus, Forsk. 

 One specimen from Aripu. 



Ostracion punctatus, Bl. Schn. 

 One specimen from T rincomalee. 



Ostracion nasns, Bloch. 



A number of immature specimens {\ inch and less in length) were taken at Galle. 

 Station XX. 



2 D 2 



