ON FISHES FROM THE PERSIAN GULF. 323 



distinctly spinate. Praeoperculum with 3 spines, the upper 1£ times in 

 tho distance from its base to the eye. Dorsal IX, 12, the third spine 

 slightly longer than tho second or fourth and nearly | tho length of 

 head ; soft dorsal highest anteriorly, the second ray as long as tho longest 

 spine. Anal 12. Pectoral extending ^ the distance from its base to 

 origin of anal, ventral a little beyond origin of anal. Caudal truncate. 

 80 scales in a longitudinal series ; only the anterior 10-12 scales of the 

 lateral line distinctly spinate. 5 or 6 indistinct dark blotches or bars 

 on the side of the body ; fins blackish, the anal pale at the base and 

 with a narrow light edge. 



Length, to base of caudal, 105 mm. 



A single specimen from Muscat, I 5-30 fathoms. 



Platycephalus townsendi (PI. I, fig. 1). 

 Depth of body 7 times in the length (without caudal), length of head 

 3 times. Snout 1^-li times as long as eye, the diameter of which is 4^ 

 times in the length of head, interorbital width D-10 times, breadth of 

 head If times. Maxillary extending to below anterior \ of eye ; upper 

 surface of head with weakly serrated ridges bearing very indistinct spines. 

 Prseoperculum with 3 spines, the upper 1% times in the distance from 

 its base to the eye. Dorsal IX, 12, the third spine nearly \ the length 

 of head ; soft dorsal highest anteriorly, the second ray as long as tho 

 longest spine. Anal 12. Pectoral extending \ the distance from its 

 base to origin of anal, ventral a little beyond origin of anal. Caudal 

 truncate. 53-56 scales in a longitudinal series ; only the anterior 16-20 

 scales of the lateral line distinctly spinate. Brownish : some darker 

 spots or bars on the cheek ; base of the operculum blackish ; the naked 

 area above the pectoral and covered by the opercular flap is white, with 

 black vermiculations. Spinous dorsal blackish, the spines spotted ; soft 

 dorsal with about 5 longitudinal series of spots on the rays : caudal and 

 ventral blackish, with obscure spots, anal pale or dusky ; pectoral barred 

 with spots. 



Length, to base of caudal, 157 mm. 

 Two specimens : Karachi ; Muscat. 



Platycephalus maculipinna (PI. I, fig. 3). 



Depth of body 7^-8 times in the length (without caudal), length of 



head 3-3^ times. Snout l\-l\ times as long as the eye, the diameter 



of which is 4^-5^ times in the length of head, interorbital width 8 times, 



breadth of head 1§-1§ times. Maxillary extending to below anterior £ 



