278 ACANTHOPTERTGn. 



7. Platycephalus carbuncnlus. 



Cuv. and Val. ix, p. 461 ; Cantor, Catal. p. 39. 



PlcdiyoephalMs Malabaricus, Giinther, Catal. ii, p. 181, pt. (not synon.) 



B. vii, D. 1 I 8 I 11-12, P. 20, V. 1/5, A. 11-12, C. 13, L. 1. U'M, ^- ^- 6/25. 



Length of head 3 to 3^, of caadal 5 to 6, height of body Gf in the total length. Eyes — diameter 1/4 of 

 length of head, 1 diameter from end of snout, and 1/4 of a diameter apart. Supraorbital edge with one or two 

 spines anteriorly, and a strongly serrated edge, posteriorly from the orbit the line to the occiput has six, and the 

 one to the shoulder spine five more spines. From the preorbital exists a raised line armed with 10 or 12 spines 

 going to the two preopercular spines, the upper (which has a small one at its base) is longer than the lower. A 

 pair, or even three, of turbinal spines, no nasal tentacle. Two well marked opercular spines, and another in the 

 axiUa^ Fins — ^ventral reaches the origin of the anal : caudal cut square. Scales — ctenoid, present on the head 

 but destitute of spines or raised points. Lateral-Une — smooth. Colours — brownish, with numerous brown spots : 

 three vertical bands on the body, one broad one through the anterior half of the first dorsal to the abdomen the 

 second through the middle of the second dorsal, and the third over the free portion of the tail : opercle dark : 

 posterior half of first dorsal black : second dorsal spotted : pectoral with several lines of spots and a dark mark 

 near its base : caudal dark, vyith one or two Hi-defined vertical bands. 



Halitat. — Western coast of India to the Malay Archipelago. Cantor observes that it occurs, although 

 not numerously, at aU seasons at Pinang, and it is eaten by the natives : his specimens were up to 6|- inches ia 

 length. 



