I868.J SURGEON F. DAY ON NEW FISHES FROM MADRAS. 193 



Mysore, where they were obtained by Major Puckle of the Mysore 

 Commission. 



The first is a small species, which appears to be rare at Madras, 

 and of which I have only succeeded in obtaining two specimens, both 

 of nearly the same size. It is a percoid fish, but one which I have 

 been unable to identify with any of the acknowledged genera. 



Its appearance is that of a small Serranus, having teeth in the jaws 

 and palate, and also canines, whilst the lower margin of the praeoper- 

 culum is smooth ; but it not only has a large serrated spine at the 

 angle of the praeoperculum, but the ventral spine is likewise serrated 

 internally. The genus Priacanthiis contains fishes with a spine, oc- 

 casionally serrated, in the same situation ; but it has no enlarged 

 teeth in its jaws, and the ventral spine is smooth internally (in some 

 species rugose externally), and only six branchiostegals. I therefore 

 propose to create a new genus for its reception, and, from its aflSnity, 

 to designate it 



Genus Priacanthichthys. 



Seven branchiostegals. Teeth villiform, with an external enlarged 

 row ; canines in both jaws. Teeth on palatine bones. Tongue 

 smooth. One dorsal with eleven spines, anal with three. Ventral 

 with one serrated spine and five branched rays. Operculum with 

 strong spines. Prseoperculum serrated in its vertical limb, with a 

 long serrated spine at its angle. Praeorbital narrow and entire. 

 Scales small, ctenoid. Lower jaw with a rather prominent chin. 

 Eyes large. 



Priacanthichthys maderaspatensis, sp. nov. 



B. vii. D. 11/12. P. 17. V. 1/5. A. 3/7. C. 15. L. 1. 70. 

 L. r. upwards of 100. 



Length of specimens from ly4- to 1-^^^ inch. 



Length of head #, of pectoral i, of caudal ^, of base of dorsal 

 spines f, of base of dorsal rays ^, of base of anal g of the total length. 

 Height of head \;, of body ^, of dorsal spines g, of dorsal rays g, of 

 ventral \, of anal spines nearly g, of anal rays yy of the total 

 length. 



Eyes. Diameter ^ of length of head, | of a diameter from end of 

 snout, f of a diameter apart. 



Appearance that of a Serranus, except in the prteopercular and 

 ventral spines. 



Lower jaw the longest, the posterior extremity of the maxilla ex- 

 tends to beneath the posterior third of the orbit. Prseoperculum 

 with its vertical limb evenly serrated, and having a very strong spine 

 at its angle directed backwards and extending almost to the base of 

 the pectoral fin, its upper edge is serrated in its whole extent ; lower 

 limb of prseopercnlum smooth. Praeorbital very narrow and entire. 

 Operculum with one strong central spine, and a small one above and 

 another below it. Tongue smooth. Some pores on inferior surface 

 of lower jaw. 



Proc. Zool. Soc— 1868, No. XIII. 



