Zoological Notes from A neiteum. 7139 



and stuffed conveniently, including upwards of a hundred species, 

 caught with the net, hook, spear, hand or fishing-basket, common as 

 well as rare, it mav be looked upon as a fair sample of the fishes of the 

 seas bordering this island, as well as of the fresh-water streams. Taking 

 Cuvier's ai'rangement as a convenient guide, it may be stated that nearly 

 all the fishes in question belong to the Osseous Series, and that about 

 four-fifths are included in the first order or Acanthopterygii. 



Among the Percidae are several species of Serranus, as well as 

 members of many other genera, the names of which I have no means 

 of ascertaining. Two of these last are confined to the fresh water. 

 Holocentrum is well represented by seven species, either of a brilliant 

 red colour, or of silvery lustre ; and there is also a species of the 

 allied genus Missipristis. A solitary Upeneus may be mentioned, 

 also a small Apogon not so brightly coloured as usual. 



Of the armed-headed or hard-cheeked fishes a small Ccphalacanthus 

 was brought me ; out of the water it can take vigorous leaps for a 

 short time. But the most singular member of this family I have seen 

 here is the Ndrukthannia, possibly a Pterois. It is a handsome fish, 

 upwards of a foot in length, chiefly of a bright red colour, variously 

 streaked and spotted, and remarkable on account of the great length 

 of the dorsal spines and the enormous size of the ventrals and pectorals, 

 the latter of which have the rays prolonged beyond the fin. The cheeks 

 are armed with clusters of prickles, and there are other prickles and 

 spines about the head. The formidable dorsal spines are believed to 

 be capable of inflicting very painful and even dangerous wounds, 

 attributed by the natives to some poisonous property inherent in 

 them. 



Of the family Sparidae a Pagellus is very common, and there are two 

 other fishes (one of a bright green colour) very much elongated in 

 shape, with sharp snouts and strong teeth, the front ones hooked, 

 which are probably of the genus Dentex. A solitary Mcena represents 

 the fifth family. 



The Squamipeunes muster here in great force, including many 

 species of Chaetodon, Heniochus and Holocanthus, also a Chelmon, 

 and some others allied to Pimelepterus. Many of the first, second 

 and fourth of these genera are curiously diversified by black and yel- 

 low bauds, stripes, and eye-like spots. One Heniochus has a dorsal 

 filament as long as the whole body. 



Of Scomberidae there are few species, all of which, however, go in 

 shoals. Caranx and Vomer are the principal genera. 



There is considerable variety among the lancet fishes. Of five 



