996 Catalogue of Malayan Fishes. [Oct. 



ventral ray is elongated, but it is frequently mutilated. In some, not 

 in all individuals, the margin of the preopercle is so deeply indented, 

 and the tuberosity of the interopercle so conspicuous, that they might 

 be considered species of Genyoroge, and as such they were considered 

 by Kuhl. On each side of the throat appear three small oval fossets 

 as in G. notata. At Pinang this species is numerous at all seasons. 

 It is insipid ; the natives however dry it. 



Mesoprion rangus, Cuv. and Val. 



Russell XCIV. Rangoo. 



Mesoprion rangus, Cuv. and Val. II. 481. 



Mesoprion rangus, Cuv. R. A. II. 144, (3) . 



Head, body and fins cherry- or indian-red, lighter on the sides and 

 abdomen ; the latter in some reddish white. Iris silvery carmine. 



Young, — Head and back purple ; cheeks and sides pale indian-red ; 

 abdomen reddish white. 



D 10/13, 14 or 15, C 17f, A 3/8, V 1/5, P 16, Br. VII. 



Habit. — Sea of Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula. 

 Java, Coromandel. 



Total length : 1 foot 8 inches. 



In the upper jaw appear on each side of the muzzle two canines, of 

 which the posterior are very large, slightly curved ; on each side of the 

 lower jaw are four similar, conical and equidistant. In the adult of 

 this as in other species, the teeth of the margin of the preopercle be- 

 come worn and indistinct. The very large, scaleless, subrhombic 

 infraorbital bone, affords a distinguishing character. According to 

 Russell this fish is not much esteemed. At Pinang and Singapore, 

 where single individuals occur at all seasons, it is of excellent flavour, 

 and considered a great acquisition to the table. At Malacca it is plen- 

 tiful, and in our settlements in the Straits it is known under the deno- 

 mination of the " red rock-cod." 



Mesoprion annularis, Cuv. and Val. 



Mesoprion annularis, Cuv. and Val. II. 484, III. 497. 



Diacope annularis, Riippell : Atlas, 74. 



Diacope annularis, Riippell, Neue Wirb. Fische. 91. 



Quoy et Gaimard, Astrol : PI. 5, fig. 4. 



Mesoprion annularis, Richardson : Rep. 1845, 229. 



Mesoprion annularis, Bleeker : Verh. Bat. Gen. XXII., 4, 22, 47. 



