C86 PLECTOGNATHI. 



Second Group— Balistixa. 



Body compressed: dermal covering rough, or with movable scutes. Spinous dorsal with from 1 to 

 3 spines : ventrals, if present, consisting of a single pelvic projection. 



Genus, 2 — Balistes, sp. Artedi. 



Balistapus, Tiles: Xenodon, Erythrodon and Pyrodon, Ruppell : Meliclilhys and Leinrus, Swainson : 

 Balistapus, Kaup : Sub-genera, Parabatistes, Pseudohalistes, CaiitUdermis, Bleaker. 



Branchiostegals six. Body compressed. Barbels absent. Sometimes a groove before the eyes. Upper jaw 

 with a double series of incisor-lihe teeth, 8 in the outer, 6 in the inner row: mandibles with 8 similar teeth in one 

 row : these teeth may be white, mieven, and more or less notched (Balistes) : or white, even and incisor-like 

 (Melichtliys) : or of a burnt sienna colour, with the supero-lateral pair projecting (Erythrodon). The first di/rsal 

 fin consisting of a'strong spine succeeded by two weah ones : ventrals as an osseous appendage. There may or may 

 not be oval, flattened, osseous, p>roductions behind the gill-oimiing. Scales forming a carapace : in some.tpecies there are 

 rows of spines or turbercles on the side of the free portion of the tail, vMcJi is either compressed or depressed. 



Eating the flesh of these fishes occasions in places symptoms of most virulent poisoning. Dr. Meunier, 

 at the ]\Iauritius, considers that the poisonous flesh acts primarily on the nervous tissue of the stomach, 

 occasioning violent spasms of that organ, and shortly afterwards of all the muscles of the body. The frame 

 becomes racked with spasms, the tongue tliickencd, the eye fixed, the breathing laborious, and the patient 

 expires in a paroxysm of extreme suflering. The first remedy to be given is a strong emetic, and subsequently 

 oils and demulcents to allay ii-ritability. 



SYNOPSIS OF SPECIES. 



A. — Free poHion of the tail depressed. 



1. Balistes stellatus, D. 3/26-27, A. 24-25, L. 1. 42-46, L. tr. 26.* Grayish green, with white spots and 

 blotches, more or less disappearing with age. From the Red Sea through the Indian and Pacific oceans. 



B. — Free portion of the tail compressed. 



2. Balistes maculatns, T). 3/26-27, A. 24-25, L. 1. 46-55, L. tr. 28. Teeth white, uneven, notched: 

 cheeks scaled : a groove in front of eye : no osseous scutes behind gill-opening, or spines at side of tail. Bluish, 

 spotted with lighter. Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. 



3. Balis'tes vdula, D. 3/30-32, A. 29, L. 1. 61-63, L. tr. 37. Teeth white, uneven, notched : cheeks 

 scaled : a groove before eye : osseous scutes behind gill-opening : no spines at side of tail. Two blue Ijands^ on 

 side of head : a dark light-edged line below the eye, from which other lines radiate. Bluish bands on fins. 

 Atlantic and Indian oceans. 



4. Balistes niger, D. 3/26-28, A. 23-25, L. 1. 45-47, L. tr. 23-26. Teeth white, uneven, notched : cheeks 

 scaled : a groove before eye : osseous scutes belaind gill-opening : 6 to 8 rows of small recurved spines at side 

 of tail. Brown : yellow ring behind lips : caudal with light edges. Red Sea, seas of India to the Malay 

 Archipelago. 



5. Balistes mitis, D. 3/29-31, A. 26-28, L. 1. 55-65. Teeth white, uneven, notched : cheeks scaled : a 

 groove before eye, osseous scutes behind gill-opening : 7 or 8 rows of small round tubercles on scales of side. 

 Brownish with a yellow ring round the mouth continued towards the pectoral fin. East coast of Africa, seas 

 of India to the ilalay Archipelago. 



6. Balistes conspicillum., D. 3/25-26, A. 21-22, L. 1. 46. Teeth white, uneven, notched : checks scaled, 

 a groove before eye : osseous scutes behind gill-opening : 2i rows of tubercles at side of tail. Dark, with large 

 white spots on lower half of body : a white band between the eyes and round the snout : caudal white, with 

 two black bands. Indian and Pacific oceans. 



7. Balistes viridescens, D. 3/24-26, A. 23-24, L. 1. 30-34, L. tr. 17. Teeth white, uneven, notched : 

 cheeks sealed : a groove before eye : osseous scutes behind the gill-opening : 4.V rows of recurvetl spines at side 

 of tail. Brownish olive, with a yellow black-edged ring round the mouth : a dark band from eye to pectoral 

 fin. Andamans to the Malay Archipelaa:o. 



8. Balistes fuscus, D. 3/25-26, A. 23-26, L. 1. 45-55, L. tr. 27-31. Teeth white, uneven, notched : cheeks 

 with stripes of tubercles a little apart : no spines at side of tail. Yellow, with irregular stripes and spots. Red 

 Sea, East coast of Africa, seas of India to the Malay Archijjelago. 



9. Balistes fiavimarginafus, D. 3/26-27, A. 23-24, L. 1. 30-35, L. tr. 19-21. Teeth white, uneven, 

 notched : a groove before eye : osseous scutes behind gill-opening : 4 to 6 rows of small spines on side of tail. 

 Stone-colour, becoming bufl' on the chest : a dark spot on each scale : vertical fins with a dark band. Red Sea, 

 Andamans to the ^laluy Archipelago. 



* Bj- L. tr. in this geuus, is considered tlie number of rows of scales placed between the origin of the second dorsal and 

 anal fin.s. 



