38 THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 



Fins — Dorsal spines very strong, the last three the longest and half the height of body, the 

 second one-third, and the first two-thirds shorter. Interspinous membrane deeply notched, soft 

 portion covered with small scales, as are also the soft rays of the anal. Caudal with a concave edge. 



Scales — Extend over head, larger above than below. 



Lateral line — In a single tube at centre of each scale, at first straight and near the back, just 

 before reaching opposite the dorsal fin it curves downwards to centre of body. 



Colours — Vary in different localities, head and back silvery olive green, brown or blackish, 

 the remainder silvery buff or greyish. Scales with minute brown spots in their centres, thus 

 forming longitudinal lines. Five large rounded spots along the sides, with a series of smaller 

 intermediate ones above. Dorsal greyish, minutely dotted with black, with two large oblique 

 black spots on the soft dorsal, which is margined with black. Caudal bright gamboge yellow, 

 with a more or less distinct black band, arched backward behind its root. Anal silvery margined 

 with black. Pectorals and ventrals white, the latter with a large black spot. Iris bright gam- 

 boge, blackish towards orbit. 



Uncommon in Malabar, said to be indifferent food. Grows to one foot in length. 



Habitat — Seas of India, Malaysia, China, and Polynesia. 



Genus PTEROIS, Gumer. 



Brauchiostegals, seven : pseudobranchiae. Head and body compressed, the former armed with spines 

 on its upper and lateral surfaces. No groove on occiput. One dorsal with twelve or thirteen spines, the 

 membrane deeply notched. Anal with three spines. The rays generally elongate, free, but branched. 

 Villiform teeth in jaws and vomer, none on the palatines. Scales moderate or small. Air bladder large. 

 Pyloric appendages few. 



Pteeois volitans. 



Gasterosteus volitans, Linn. i. p. 491. 



Kodipungi, Russell, pi. 133. 



Scorpozna volitans, Bennett, pi. i. 



Pterois volitans, Cuv. & Val. iv. p. 352, pi. 88 ; Gimther, Catal. ii. p. 122. 



Purrooah, Mai. 



B. vii. D. J.Vi. P. 14. V. \. A. f . C. 13. L. r. 90. Ccec. pylor. 3 Vert. {%. 



Length of head f , of pectoral §, of caudal £, of base of dorsal \, base of anal \ of total length. 

 Height of head \ s of body \, of hard dorsal \, of soft dorsal \, of ventral f , of anal \ of total 

 length. 



Eyes — With upper wall of orbit much raised above the line of the profile, diameter f of 

 length of head, 1 diameter from end of snout, nearly 1 diameter from the summit of one super- 

 orbital ridge to that of the opposite one. 



Profile convex over snout, from nostrils to base of dorsal nearly straight, but the upper 

 margin of the orbit projects considerably above it. 



Maxilla extends to beneath the anterior, margin of the orbit. Symphysis of lower jaw projects 



