SUPPLEMENT, 1888. 



781 



some small specimens of a remarkable percoid form at Madras that I termed Priacan- 

 thicltthi/s ^[adraspatensis, but which are the yonng of Scrrauiis latifasciatus. I have 

 figured below in outline the head and contiguous parts of the body three times the 

 natural size, from a specimen IG inches long. 



In this instance we see a preoperculum with a strong serrated spine at its angle somewhat 

 as observed in the genus PriacantJms, the development of which, and the rate at which 

 it becomes atrophied with age being most probably factors in the amount of protuberance at 

 that spot in older fish. There is likewise a small spine on the sub-opercle, while it is very 

 peculiar that the ventral spine is strongly serrated internally similar to a siluroid. 



This figure is from a specimen sent by Mr. Thurston from Madras, and delineated the 

 natural size, 3 inches long, but in which the fifth dorsal spine is abnormally shortened, 

 giving somewhat the appearance of two spinous dorsal fins. The serrated spine at the 

 angle of the preopercle is now only represented by coarse denticulations, the ventral spine 

 is smooth, and the fish has assumed the form it .subsequently retains. The colours are not 

 yet similar to those of the adult, the bands along the body change as described under 

 Serranus morrhua and the black bands on the caudal fin are eventually represented by 

 more or less black spots (see Plate V, fig. 4). 



Serkanc^ polleni. 



Epinephelus polleni, Bleeker, Fish. Reunion Versl. Kon. Akad. Wet. 2nd Rks. ii, p. 3.36, and 

 Poisson Madagascar et Reunion, p. 19, t. vii. 



B. vii, D. y^»y^, P. 17, V. 1/5, A. 3/9, C. 17, L. 1. 115-120. 



Length of head 05, of caudal fin 7, height of body 3| in the total length. Eyes — 

 diameter G in the length of the head, 1 j diameters from the end of the snout. Preopercle 

 serrated, most coarsely so along its lower edge. The posterior edge of the maxilla reaches 

 to somewhat behind the hind edge of the orbit. Tee^/i — canines somewhat large. Fins — 

 dorsal spines increasing in length to the fourth, the posterior ones four-fifths as high as the 

 rayed portion of the fin, which latter is rounded posterioi-ly. Second anal spine some- 

 what the longest. Caudal fin slightly rounded. Scales — 9 or 10 rows between the base of 

 the sixth dor.sal spine and the lateral-line. Colours — closely approaching those of Serrnntis 

 hoenack, being generally reddish brown, with 5 or 6 narrow blue lines on the head passing 

 backwards, 10 or 12 horizontal blue lines along the body, tho.so in the upper third being 

 interrupted and contorted, some ending on the soft portion of the dorsal fin, while others 

 similarly end on the caudal and anal fins. A horizontal narrow blue band along the centre 

 of the dorsal fin, and a narrow blue edging to the soi't portion, 2 or 3 blue bands taking a 

 semi-horizontal direction on the anal tin. Caudal externally edged with reddish brown. 



