204 PKKCIDJ2. 



2. Eleven dorsal spines. 



28. Mesoprion annularis. 



Mesoprion annularis, Cui\ Sf Vul. ii. p. 484, iii. p. 497 ; Richardson, 

 Ichth. China, p. 229; Bieeker, Perc. p. 47; Cantor, Catal. p. 14. 



Diacopc annularis, Ritpp. Atl. Fische, p. 74, and N. W. Fische, p. 91. 

 t. 24. f. 2 ; . Quay t^- Gaim. Voy. Astrol. Poiss. p. 0G6. pi. "5. f. 4. 



metallicus, Bleck. Topogr. Batav. 



Mesoprion sanguineus, Bleek. Perc. p. 48. 



D.^. A. 4 L.lat. 56-60. 



The height of the body is 2|- in the total length, the length of the 

 head 31 ; the diameter of the eye is one-fourth of the latter. Notch 

 and knob of the opercles indistinct, in young specimens more distinct. 

 Caudalis tnmcatcd ; pectoral reaching to tlic front end of the anal ; 

 the fourth, fifth, and sixth dorsal spines longest ; the second of the 

 anal fin much stronger than the third. Red : a blackish streak from 

 the first dorsal spine to the eye ; back of the tail ^vith a black white- 

 edged spot ; streak and spot sometimes indistinct. 



Indian Ocean : Red Sea ; Chinese and Japanese Seas. 



a. Adiilt : stuffed : not good state. China. Presented by J. R. Reeves, 



Esq. 

 h, c. Adult and young. From the Haslar Collection. 



d. Adult. 



e. Adult. From the Haslar Collection. 



/. Adult. AustraUan Seas. From Mr. Dring's Collection. 

 g. Half-grown. China. Presented by J. R. Reeves, Esq. 

 h. Young. China. Presented by Captain Sir E. Belcher. 

 i. Young. From the Collection of the College of Surgeons. 

 Tc. Young. From the Haslar Collection. 



Specimens h. and ?'. have alternate blackish and lighter longitu- 

 dinal bands below the lateral hne. 



29. Mesoprion malabaricus. 



? Spanis malabaricus, Bl. Schn. p. 278. 



? Mesoprion malabaricus, Can. l^- Val ii. p. 480. 



Mesoprion malabaricus, Bleek. Sumatra, iii. p. 3. 



D. n A. |. L. lat. 52. 



The height of the body is not quite one-third of the total length, 

 and rather longer tluin the head ; the diameter of the eye is one- 

 third of the length of the head ; the upper profile of the head 

 slightly concave. Jaws nearly equal in front ; the ujjpcr maxillary 

 bone reaches beyond the anterior half of the eye. Pra^opercidum 

 serrated and slightly cmarginate, with stronger denticulations at the 

 angle. Caudalis truncated ; the fourth, fifth, and sixth dorsal 

 spines rather longer than the posterior ones ; the second of the anal 

 longest and strongest. Rose-coloured (in life), with oblique streaks 

 above the lateral lino and with longitudinal ones beneath ; a violet 

 longitudinal l)und on the back along the l>ase of the dorsal fin ; a 



