15. 



BALISTES BIACULEATUS. 



Order, Thoracic. 

 Native Name, &-, sTY^U (ZXO% Ankatillah. 



B. biaculeatus. Body silvery throughout. The fins of a dull yellow, 

 except the first dorsal, which is black towards the base. 



Dorsal rays, first four spinous, second 24. Pectoral 14. Ventral 1. Anal 

 19. Caudal 12. Lateral line, from the head to near the extremity of the 

 dorsal fin, arched. 



This Balistes derives its specific name from the peculiar structure 

 of the ventral fin. The Ankatilla of the Cingalese is generally found 

 in deep water, and rarely on the Southern Coast of Ceylon. It 

 has a very tough outer skin without scales, seldom exceeds twelve 

 or thirteen inches in length, and by the native Fishers is considered 

 wholesome food. 



Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. 



