SQUAMIPINNES. 401 



versed by about thirty yellow bands ; the ocular band, and 

 the side behind the head, are black, edged with yellow ; the 

 caudal fin is yellow. It is a large species of this genus, some- 

 times attaining a length of 15 inches, and as an article of 

 food is one of the most esteemed of all the Indian species. 

 With regard to beauty of colours it is surpassed by another 

 allied species, H. diacanthits, which likewise ranges from the 

 east coast of Africa to Polynesia. 



PoMACANTHUS differs from Eolacanthus in havirg from eight 

 to ten spines only in the dorsal fin. 



The single species (P. parii) on which this genus is founded 

 is one of the most common fishes of the West Indies, and 

 offers one of the most remarkable instances of variation of 

 colour within the .limits of the same species : some specimens 

 being ornamented with more or less distinct yellowish cross- 

 bands, others with yellow crescent-shaped spots; in others 

 black spots predominate. 



ScATOPHAGTis. — Two dorsal fins, united at the base, the first 

 with ten or eleven spines ; only the second is scaly. A recum- 



Fig. 170. — Scatophagus multifasciatus. 



bent spine before the dorsal, pointing forwards. Anal with four 



2d 



