147 



YELLOW-BELLIED ACANTHURUS, 



Acanthurus hepatus^ Bloch. 

 PLATE XIX. 



It is well marked. This fish is a native of the seas 

 of India, is adorned with a distribution of rich 

 colours, and is armed at the base of the tail with 

 a spine of considerable length. 



In the genus Batistes also, we see a somewhat 

 similar defence, numerous rows of hooked spines 

 being placed near the tail. The 



PORT PRASLIN BALISTES, 



Bcdistes praslinoides. Lesson. 



PLATE XX. 



Baliste praslinoide, Lesson, pi. ix. fig, 3. page 117, vol. ii. 



Will exhibit this. It is a fish met with by the ex- 

 pedition of the Coquille at Port Praslin, in New 

 Ireland, of an oblong form, and reaching in length 

 about eight inches ; it is armed near the tail with 

 three rows of crooked spines. Our figure will show the 

 beautiful tints which adorn this species, remarkable 

 both for its sharp armature and brilliant colours, 

 Little or nothing is otherwise known regarding it. 



In the genus Ostracion^ again, these spines are 

 placed in various positions, and are both very strong 

 and sharp. In the 



