334 FISHES. [Cuar. X. 
each eye and another at the angles of the mouth are the 
most conspicuous. Sharp spines project on the crown and 
on the side of the gill-apparatus, as in the other sea- 
perches, Scorpena, Serranus, &c., of which these are 
PTEROIS VOLITAKS, 
only a modified and ornate form. The extraordinary ex- 
pansion of their fins is not, however, accompanied by a 
similar development of the bones to which they are 
attached, simply because they appear to have no peculiar 
function, as in flying fishes, or in those where the spines 
of the fins are weapons of offence. They attain to the 
length of twelve inches, and to a weight of about two 
pounds; they live on small marine animals, and by the 
Singhalese the flesh (of some at least) is considered good 
for table. Nine or ten species are known to occur in. 
