SCORPtENA volitans. 



Order, Thoracic. 

 Native Name, cJ&J&zn Gini-Maha. G«m, Fire — Maha, "Great. 



S. volitans. Pectoral fins longer than the body. 



Branchiostegons rays 6. Dorsal 24, thirteen spinous, varied with black and 

 reddish brown ; the colours stronger on the spinous rays than on the others. 

 Pectoral 14 ; the connecting membrane bluish and brown. Ventral 6, one 

 spinous, bluish, spotted with white. Anal 10, three spinous. Caudal 12. 



The Gini-Maha of the Cingalese accords with the description 

 given by Bloch of the Scorpaena volitans, with the exception of the 

 number of radii in the dorsal fin ; — Bloch gives twelve only. 



The native fishermen attribute to this fish the power of inflicting 

 wounds, for which there is no cure yet known ; but that, at present, 

 is a mere hypothesis, and should be received as such. 



Although the name given to this animal by Linnaeus would 

 justify the supposition that it possesses the power of flying, the 

 membranes of the pectoral fins are not sufficiently united or pro- 

 portioned to the body to admit of volitation ; a position which the 

 native fishers unanimously confirm. 



Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. 



