238 



FLATFISHF.S (HETEROSOMATA) 



13 BOTHUS OVALIS (Regan). 



I'sMylis ocdILila (nun Rhombus uallalus, Agassiz), Alcock. 1890, Ann. .Mag. Nat. Hist., (6) ' 



iig. 3 ; .-Mcock, i8q6. J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., l.w (2), p. 328. 

 .- Ftatophrys myriastcr, Steindachner, 1902, Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Ixxi, p. 152. 

 Platophrys oralis, Regan. 1908, Trans. I, inn. Soc. London, Zool., -Kii, p. 232, pi. xxvii, tig. 

 rUitophrvs circularis, Regan. 1908, torn, cit., p. 233, pi. xxvi, fig. 3. 

 Platophrys panlhcrinus, Jenkins, 1910, .\Ieni. Ind. Mus., iii, p. 26. 

 - Flalnphrys circularis, barnard, t<)25, Ann. S. Afr. iMus., xxi, p. 304. 

 llolhus ovahs (part), .N'orman, 1027, Ker. hid. .Mus., x.\ix. p. 32, tig. 7. 



U.M. (X.H.) 190S.3.23.12 



Depth of body iS in the length, length of head 3^ to 33. Profile of head distinctly 

 convex in front of upper eye. concave in front and just above lower eye. Diameter 

 of eye 3 to 3^ in length of head ; interorbital width a little less (young) or a little 

 greater than diameter of eye ; anterior edge of upper eye above middle of lower ; 

 each eye with a semi-circular membranous flap on its posterior part in the male. 

 Male with a strong spine on the snout, but only a slight projection below symphysis of 

 lower jaw. Maxillary extending to below anterior margin of eye or a little beyond, 

 length 3 1 to 35 in that of head. Teeth more strongly developed on bUnd side of jaws. 

 6 or 7 short gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch. Scales all cycloid on ocular 

 side, except at e.xtreme upper and lower edges of body, where they are ctenoid ; 

 those of blind side cycloid ; 95 to 100 scales in lateraHine. Dorsal 88-92. Anal 64-70. 

 Pectoral of ocular side with 8 or 9 rays, upper rays more or less prolonged in both 

 sexes. Caudal obtusely pointed. Greyish brown, clouded and marked with darker, 

 and with numerous small pale spots ; head with some small sky-blue spots ; a circular 

 ocellus just behind curve of lateral line, and 3 or 4 similar but less distinct ocelli on 

 upper and lower halves of body, becoming fainter with age ; a diffuse dark blotch on 

 middle of straight portion of lateral line, and generally a faint blotch near base of 

 caudal fin ; dorsal and anal fins with minute dark brown spots, and with a series of 

 larger spots : distal part of caudal dark brown. 



