MARINE FISHES. 210 



Aploactis aspersa, Tkm.m. and Sohleg. Plate L, fig. 5. 



Length of head 3^ inches; height of body 3j times in the total length. Cleft of 

 the mouth directed obliquely upwards; length } that of head. Eyes very small. 

 diameter about \ of the length of the head. Nostrils, especially the anterior ones, 

 tubular. General shape of head monstrous; prominent preorbital processes ; cheeks 

 and opercula with blunt spines and ridges. 



Radial formula : D. 4, 19 ; A. 10 ; P. 13; V. 4; C. 14. 



The first 4 spines of the dorsal fin are separated from the rest ; there are about 

 10 spines following this portion, but it is difficult to determine the exact number; 

 ventrals reduced ; caudal rounded. 



Skin everywhere covered with blunt, soft tubercles; these are present on all the 

 fins and are especially large and rough on the first portion of the dorsal ; 11 large 

 tubercles on the lateral line of one side and 13 on the other. 



One specimen, 2'1 inches long, from south of Adam's Bridge. 



Pterois zebra, Cuv. and Val. 



Pointed nasal tentacles are present. The orbital tentacles are flat and fringed on 

 their posterior margins. 



There is a fiat tentacle on the premaxilla, near the angle of the mouth, and 3 short 

 ones on the preoperculum. 



Two specimens, the largest about 3 inches long, Gulf of Manaar. 



Gymnapistus niger (Cuv. and Val.). 

 One specimen, about 2 inches long, from Periya Paar. 



Gymnapistus dracsna (Cuv. and Val.). 

 A single specimen, about 2 J inches long, from south of Adam's Bridge. 



Minous nionodactylus (Bl. Schn.). 

 Two specimens, about 2^ inches long, from south of Adam's Bridge. 



Choridactylus multibarbis, Richakdson. 



A single specimen, 1 f inches long, from south of Adam's Bridge. 



CIEEHITID^E. 



Cirrhitichthys aureus (Temm. and Schley. ). 



The free pectoral rays reach to just beyond the anal spines. The 1st dorsal ray is 

 not prolonged. The colour is uniformly red-brown in spirit. 

 One specimen, about 2 inches long, Gulf of Manaar. 



9 w 9 



Li JD Li 



