THE GAME FISHES OF THE PERSIAN G ULF. 741 



Ham UK. Serranus stoliczkce. 



Before entering into a detailed description of this species and others of 

 the same genus a word of warning will be uttered as a guide to further 

 investigation. Day remarks : — 



" The colour of these fishes, which varies so extensively in the same 

 species, can hardly be accepted as a trustworthy guide for grouping. * 



* '■■' * The numbers of rows of scales is very important amongst 



these fishes, as so ably pointed out by Bleeker, and many a mistake in 

 identification would have been saved, had his plan been adopted, which 

 is to give the numbers of transverse rows going to the lateral-line from 

 both above and below.'' 



It must be admitted, reluctantly perhaps, that the advice contained in 

 the latter portion of the above extract was not adhered to by the author 

 for the simple reason that in many instances the aid of a magnifying glass 

 would have had to be requisitioned and no such instrument was forth- 

 coming at Jask. In consequence the identification of the various species 

 must be accepted with reserve. 

 Description. 



WeiyM.—l^i lbs. 



Length. — 2 ft. lOJ inches. 



Girth. — 21j inches. 



Head. — Is large for size of fish and broad. 



Eye. — Is small and leery in appearance, iris golden, pupil oval. 



Teeth. — Canines in both jaws, a broad band of villiform teeth on upper 

 jaw tapering to both extremities at angle of mouth. There is also a 

 similar formation on lower jaw, but the band is not so broad. Two rows of 

 vilhform teeth are present on the palate in the form of a broad inverted 

 V, the base of the V being on the vomer. These teeth protrude at an 

 angle thus : — /^M^^ii^ The edges of the gills are studded with 



groups consisting '^''j^ of 2 or 3 teeth in each group ; patches of 

 sharp villiform teeth encrusts the top and bottom of the gullet. 



Mouth. — Exceedingly large, tongue diminutive. 



Fins. — Dorsal 10 well-defined spines connected by a thin membrane 

 which bears marks much resembling basaltic sections in appearance ; the 

 dorsal fin is continued to the tail by a rayed fringe of considerable 

 dimensions. 



Pectoral. — Spineless and speckled. 



Pelvic. — One strong spine on outer edge, colour mottled. 



Anal has one large and one small spine situated anteriorly, remainder is 

 rayed ; it bears the basaltic marks. 



Caudal of large proportions and slightly rounded. 



Colour. — The general colour is chocolate, with white basaltic marks all 

 over head, gill-plates, back, sides and some of the fins. Towards the belly 

 these basaltic marks get less defined, and the chocolate background 

 changes into large clearly marked spots. The marks and spots are conti- 

 nued to the upper and lower jaws respectively. The throat is tinged 

 delicate pink. The back ground of tail, dorsal fringe, and anal fin is much 

 darker, almost black and the marks are milky-white. 



Scales. — The body is covered with small scales. 



Lateral line is ill-defined. 



It will be of very considerable interest to compare the above description 

 with that furnished by Day as far as colours are concerned ; for this 

 purpose Day is quoted in full: — 



" Colours. — Light-brownish red, becoming hyacinth-red on the sides and 

 below, barred with four vertical darker bands, the anterior proceeding from 



