10. 



BALISTES ACULEATUS /s vmmis. 



Order, Branchiostegous. 



Native Najne, C^S^eol^a>J(^^ ^>//^p»x)i Ratoopotobarah, or 

 MoL-KoTAH — Red Potobarah, or Rice Pounder. 



B. ACULEATUS (i viRiDis. First dorsal fin three-rayed. Tail entire, with 

 two rows of recumbent spines at its base, three in each row. 



Dorsal fins, 1st 3 spines ; 2nd 27 rays. Pectoral 13. Anal 23. Caudal 12. 

 Eyes round. Iris golden. Ventral spine strong, toothed. Fins short, first 

 dorsal, very broad and serrate forwards. 



The Ratoopotobarah, or Mol-Kotah of the Cingalese, inhabits 

 rocky situations. It is eaten by the natives; but, owing to its 

 insignificance as an article of food, and its almost impenetrable skin, 

 is never sought after by the regular fisherman. 



This fish seldom exceeds nine or ten inches in length ; and when it 

 attains that size, the green colour of the body gives place to a darker 

 hue, and the fine orange colour of its lines and fins becomes of a dusky 

 yellow. 



Figure — Half the natural size of the Specimen. 



