220 CEYLON PEARL OYSTER REPORT. 



MULLID^E. 



Upenoides tragula (Richardson). 

 Several specimens, about 3 inches long, from Aripu and south of Cheval Paar. 



SQUAMIPINNES. 

 Ephippus orbis (Bloch). 

 One specimen from pearl banks off Aripu. 



Scatophagus argus (Gmel.). Plate I., fig. 1. 



A single specimen of an apparently immature fish (Plate I., fig. 1) which probably 

 belongs to this species was obtained by Professor Herdman, but the locality cannot, 

 unfortunately, be traced. It is identical with a Tholichthys-like form which I have 

 described from Patani Bay, Malay Peninsula (8), and which has been identified 

 by Mr. G. A. Boulenger as Scatophagies argus. The head is armed heavily with 

 bony plates ; the opercular pieces are very massive and carry two strong spines ; the 

 radial formula is: D. XL, 18; A. IV., 16; Pect. 16; Pelv. I., 5 ; C. 26. The skin 

 is covered with minute spines. The number of spines in the dorsal fin was 

 slightly variable in the specimens collected by Messrs. Annandale and Bobinson. 

 Mr. B,obinson informs me that they were " not uncommon in the Jambu estuary, 

 generally swimming near the surface in companies of three or four." 



PEECIDiE. 



This family is very sparingly represented in the present collection. 



Apogon ellioti, Day. 



Several specimens from Galle, the largest of which is about 2f inches long. 



Apogon eneastigma, Ruppell. 

 Buppell obtained this species from Massana, in the B-ed Sea. The specimens 

 obtained in Ceylon agree closely with his description. D. 7/-g- ; A. 2/8 ; L. 1. 27. 

 There is a prominent dark, white edged ocellus (in spirit) behind the operculum. 

 Three specimens from Aripu reef, the largest of which is 21 inches long. 



Apogon septemstriatus, Gunther. 



This species has been previously taken only by the "Challenger" in the Arafura 

 Sea. The Ceylon specimens agree closely with Gunther's description and figure. 



The 1st dorsal spine is very small and is absent in some specimens. 



A number of specimens, l inches to 2+ inches long, from Galle and south of 

 Adam's Bridge, Station LIV. 



