450 TELEOSTEI. - ACAXTIlOPTEttYOII. 



Vertical limb of preopercle rather coarsely serrated, with two 

 large spinous teeth at its angle, the inferior of which is directed 

 somewhat downwards. Fins dorsal spines moderately strong, in- 

 creasing in length to the fourth and fifth, which equal nearly half 

 the length of the head, but are not quite so high as the rays ; 

 caudal rounded ; second anal spine stronger than the third, but 

 not quite so long. Scales ctenoid. Colour brownish, with about 

 six vertical darker bands, about as wide as the ground-colour ; a 

 few irregular dark spots about the body ; dorsal, caudal, and anal 

 yellow, with numerous round black spots, those at the hind edge 

 of the caudal almost forming a black band with a white outer edge ; 

 pectoral and ventral greyish. 



Hub. I have not obtained this species in India, but a specimen 

 presented by B. H. Hodgson, Esq., is in the National Collection 

 labelled from " the East Indies." There is some doubt about the 

 locality. 



572. (13.) Sen-anus lanceolatus. 



Holocentrus lanceolatus, Block, Ich. t. 242, fig. 1. 

 Serranus lanceolatus, Cuv. fy Vol. H. N* Poiss. ii, p. 310 ; Day, 

 P. Z. S. 1809, p. 512, and Fish. India, pp. 18, 101, pi. iv, fig. 1 

 (see synon.). 



Kurmini, Mai. ; Commaaree, if young Wutla-callawah or " perch with 

 a sore head," Tarn.; Gussir, Sind. ; Boh, Chittagong; Nga-towlctoo- 

 shiveydoo, Arracan ; Panni min and Pillijwnni, Tel. 



D. 11/14-16. A. 3/8-9. L.r. 110/70. L.tr. 20/52. Csec. pyl. many. 



Length of head 3| to 3|, height of body 3| to 4 in the total 

 length. Eyes diameter 6 to 8 in length of head, 1 to 1^ from 

 end of snout, and from 1 in the young to 1| in the adult apart. 

 Preopercle with its vertical edge having a shallow emargination 

 above the angle, and finely serrated, becoming somewhat coarsely 

 so at the angle. Fins dorsal spines not so high as the rays ; 

 second anal spine stronger but shorter than the third; caudal 

 rounded. Scales cycloid, about 15 rows between the sixth dorsal 

 ' spine and the lateral line. Colours vary with age, the very young 

 being of a fine citron or sulphur ground-colour, having irregular 

 vertical bands and markings, which become more distinct as the 

 age of the fish advances. Up to a foot or even eighteen inches in 

 length, the ground-colour continues to be bright yellow, with five 

 broad, vertical, blackish -blue bands. Fins yellow with black spots 

 or blotches. In the adult the black bands disappear, the ground- 

 colour becomes greyish brown, the whole being reticulated with 

 greyish-black lines. 



Hob, East coast of Africa and seas of India to the Malay Archi- 

 pelago ; attaining a large size. 



573. (14.) Serranus erythrurus. 



thrurus, Cuv. $ Vol. N. H. Poiss. ii. p. 

 8. 



D. 11/16. P. 17. V.l/5. A. 3/9. C. 17. 



Serranus erythrurus, Cuv. $ Vol. N. H. Poiss. ii. p. 320; Day. Fish. 

 India, p. 18. 



