1849.] Catalogue of Malayan Fishes. 1207 



mouth : the horizontal diameter equals that of the upper ; the distance 

 between both is somewhat less. A slight downwards arched ridge 

 proceeds from the anterior angle of the upper orbit to the muzzle. 

 The nostrils, mouth and teeth resemble those of S. commersoniana, 

 but the lower right lip presents no papillae. The greatest vertical dia- 

 meter, at the end of the anterior third of the body, is 3f in the total 

 length ; it contains upwards of 71 series of scales. The latter are all 

 small, nearly rectangular, with 7 to 9 radiating lines at the radical 

 part, and with as many spines at the posterior rounded margin. The 

 lateral line in its course resembles that of S. commersoniana ; it con- 

 sists of upwards of 121 small central tubes. The dorsal commences 

 opposite the anterior angle of the upper orbit, at a distance from the 

 upper lip of \ of the length of the head, but not immediately from the 

 upper lip, as represented by Bloch, and the copies of his incorrect 

 figure. The anterior 26 to 28 rays are undivided ; the last rays are 

 the longest and as well as the caudal and the last anal rays slightly 

 exceed the length of the head. The caudal is broader and more 

 rounded than in S. commersoniana, which in other respects the three 

 united fins resemble. The pectoral is very pointed owing to the second 

 upper ray being much longer than the rest, although it is but 2\ in 

 the length of the head. The length of the ventrals is about \ of the 

 length of the head ; they are placed as in S. commersoniana, but the 

 distance from the first anal ray is a little greater. Single individuals 

 occur at Pinang at all seasons. 



Gen. Achirus, Lacepede, 1802. 



Resembling Solea, but destitute of pectoral fins ; dorsal and anal 

 distinct from caudal ; eyes and colours on the right side. 



Achirus pavoninus, Lace'pede. 



Achire pavonine, Lacepede, IV. 660. 



Pleuronectes pavoninus, Shaw, IV. 310. 



Right side. Ground colour of head, body and fins yellowish- or 

 pink-brown ; the fin-membranes dotted with black ; scales edged 

 with dark brown ; head and body with numerous larger and smaller 

 rounded milkwhite spots, edged and minutely dotted with dark brown, 

 and with a round soot-coloured spot in the centre ; a few of the white 



7 a 



