485 



Trans. N. Zeal. Inst., v., 1873, p. 271; Waiter Rec. 

 Austr. Mus., vi., 1905, p. 82; Fowler: Proc. Acad. Nat. Soi. 

 Philad., 1907 (1908), p. 439. 



Acerana nurita, Kaup : Arch, fiir Naturg., xxi., 1855, 

 p. 219. 



Ostracion quatuordecim aculeatus, Lacepede : Ann. Mus. 

 Hist. Nat., iv., 1804, pp. 202, 211, pi. Iviii., fig. 1. 



Ostracion striatus, Shaw: Gen. Zool., v., pt. 2, 1804, p. 430.(3) 



Ostracion tohinii, Donovan: Nat. Repos., ii., 1824, pi. lxvi.(4) 



Ostracion (Aracana) lincatus. Gray : Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 

 i., 1838, p. 110. 



Ostracion (Aracana) reevesii, Grav : Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 

 i., 1838, p. 111.(5) 



D. 10-11; A. 10-11; P. 1 + 10-11; C. 11-12. 



Length of head 3'4-3'5, depth I'S-l'T in the length 

 excluding the caudal rays. Narrowest intercrbital width 

 '2'3-2'4 in the head, and greater than the orbital diameter, 

 which is 2'7-3"3 in the head. Longest pectoral ray l'5-r7, 

 dorsal 1*4-1 "6, anal r7-r8, and median caudal rays 1*5 in 

 the head. 



Form very variable, principally owing to the different 

 ■development of the abdomen; in the large specimen, figured 

 on pi. XX., it is strongly compressed, and forms a deep 

 rounded keel, but in a narrower example the keel is scarcely 

 developed. Snout oblique, not gibbous. Intercrbital space 

 flat mesially, but the supraorbital margins are strongly 

 elevated, making it appear concave. Back almost flat in 

 front, sometimes forming a low crest behind. Gill-opening 

 just behind the verticle of the eye in the young, farther back 

 in adults. Spines variable in form, being either short and 

 somewhat thickened, or elongate and strongly compressed. 

 Supraorbital spine inclined slightly outward and backward. 

 Two supralateral spines on each side. Mediolateral spine 

 situatsd below or slightly behind the verticle of the hinder 

 supralateral one. Tv/o infralateral spines usually present, but 

 one cr both are occasionally absent; the anterior is below the 



(3) Ostracion striatus, Shaw. This name was founded on a 

 "drawing, which Shaw himself considered possibly represented his 

 O. auritus. 



(^) Ostracion tohin'tu Donovan. This name was offered as a 

 substitute for 0. auritus and 0. striatus, Shaw, which were 

 regarded as unsatisfactory. 



^5) Ostracion (Aracana) reevesii. Gray, was proposed for a fish 

 figured in Gray's "Illustrations of Indian Zoology" as A. aurita, 

 but latter regarded as a distinct species. It was reunited with 

 A. aurita by Giinther. 



