455 



specimens only the large cloudy blotchings or markings are present 

 on the body. 



Hob. Ked Sea, east coast of Africa, seas of India, Malay Archi- 

 pelago and beyond. 



583. (24.) Serranus latifasciatus. 



Serranus latifasciatus, Schleyel, Faun. Japan, Fishes, p. 6 ; Day, Fish. 



India, Suppl. p. 780 (see synon.). 

 Serranus grammicus, Day, P. Z. S. 1867, p. 700 ; Fish. India, p. 23, 



pi. v, fig. 4. 



D. 11/12-13. A. 3/8. C.17. L. 1.85. ' L. r. 105/86. L.tr. 17/44. 



Length of head about 3.V, height of body SL in the total length. 

 Eyes diameter 5 in length of head, 1^ from end of snout, and 

 1 apart. Vertical limb of preopercle oblique, finely serrated in its 

 upper two thirds, becoming coarser lower down, and having several 

 largo denticulations at its projecting angle, which is slightly pro- 

 duced. Fins dorsal spines of moderate strength, the fourth 

 slightly the longest, but not so long as the rays ; second anal spine 

 the strongest, the third one fourth longer and equal to the second 

 in the dorsal fin ; caudal very slightly rounded. Scales feebly 

 ctenoid or cycloid ; 12 or 13 rows between the base of the sixth 

 dorsal spine and the lateral line. Colour greyish, with a golden 

 gloss about the head. Four narrow black lines on hinder part of 

 head, one extending to the tail and two to base of dorsal fin. 

 Dorsal and caudal with black spots ; anal with a black edge. Eyes 

 golden. 



Hub. Madras and Sind ; also Japan. 



584. (25.) Serranus boenack. 



Bodianus boenack, Block, Ich. iv, p. 44, t. 226. 

 Serrauus boenack, Day, Fish. India, p. 23, pi. \i, fig. 1 (see synon.). 

 Verri-cullaioah, Tam. ; Kyouh-nga-towktoo, Arracan. 

 D. 9/16-18. P. 15. A. 3/8-9(10). C.17. L. 1. 90-95. L.tr. 22/43. 



Length of head 3, height of body 3 to 3 in the total length. 

 Eyes diameter 5 to 5| in length of head, rather above 1 from end 

 of snout, and f apart. Vertical limb of preopercle rather convex, 

 and a little emarginate above its angle in the adult, but not in the 

 young ; its upper two thirds finely serrated, more coarsely so at its 

 angle, where the serrations are rather irregularly disposed. Fins 

 dorsal spines from the third are of about the same length, the longest 

 being three fourths the length of the longest ray ; second anal 

 spine the strongest, equal in length to the third in the adult or even 

 longer in the young ; caudal rounded. Scales ctenoid. Colour 

 when alive very brilliant, but fading after death. Generally yel- 

 lowish brown, snout pale blue, lips and throat spotted with deeper 

 blue, whilst about five fillets of the same colour diverge from tho 

 i orbit and cross the opercles and branchial membranes. Blue and 



