19. 

 PERCA FLAVA-PURPUREA. 



Order, Thoracic. 



Native Name, ^ Srj, z-^) "o* S 06^ Kaha Lam'evah. 



P. FLAVA-PURPUREA. Body, from the eye to the dorsal and anal fins, purple ; 

 gradually lighter towards the lower part ; the remainder of the body and all 

 the fins bright yellow ; the upper and lower extremity of the caudal fin 

 touched with an irregular black spot ; the ventral has also a large and a 

 smaller spot, in conformity with the caudal fin. The iris of the eye is golden. 

 The teeth are numerous. The general appearance of this fish is splendid 

 and graceful. 



Branchiostegous rays 7. Dorsal 28, nine spinous. Pectoral 17. Ventral 6, 

 one spinous. Anal 11, three spinous. Caudal 17. 



The Kaha Laweyah of the Cingalese is scarce on the southern 

 coast of Ceylon, the Author, in the course of two years, having 

 met with but one specimen. Its flesh is said to be excellent, and if 

 more abundant, no doubt the fish would be in the liighest request. 

 It inhabits rocky situations, and probably the deepest water, which 

 may prevent its being frequently taken by the fishermen. It was 

 first described by Lacepedc, from the short notes and unfinished 

 drawings of Conimerson, and has been since engraved in the fine 

 ■work of Guinard, tab. 51, fig. 2, forming part of Freycinet's Voyage, 

 under the name of Serran Bourgnon. It is fully described in 

 Cuvier's History of Fish, vol. ii. p. 297, under the name of Gerranus 

 flavo-caeruleus. 



Figure — About three-fourths the natural size of the Specimen. 



