74 TELEOSTEI . AC A NTHOPTER TO II . 



819. (1.) Choridactylus multibarbis. (Fig. 32.) 



Choridactylus multibarbis, Richardson, Voy. Samarany, Fishes, p. 8, 

 pi. 2, figs. 1-3; Day, Fish. India, p. 161, pi. xxxix, fig. 2 (see 

 eynon.). 



D. 13/9. P. 9+iii. V. 1/5. A. 2/8. C. 15. 

 Length of head 4, height of body 3| in the total length. Ei/es 

 high up, with prominent orbits, diameter 3^ in length of head, 

 1 diain. from end of snout, and rather more apart. Interorbital 

 space concave, with two longitudinal ridges, connected behind by 

 a transverse one. A fleshy tentacle over the centre of the eye, 

 and some tentacles on the mandible. Fins dorsal commencing 

 just behind the eyes, the first three spines somewhat removed from 

 the rest, the fourth likewise at some distance from those before or 

 behind it, the third and fourth spines the longest ; interspinous 

 membrane deeply emarginate ; rays a little higher than the longest 

 spine : ventral large, nearly the whole of its inner edge attached by 



Fig. 32. Choridactylus multibarbis. 



a skinny flap to the abdomen ; anal spines small, the second one- 

 third the longest; caudal rounded. Colour brownish, with a 

 yellow shoulder-mark, and two or three vertical orange bands ; 

 base of ventral and anal with fine white spots. Fins blackish' 

 brown, with a light band between the fourth and sixth dorsal 

 spines ; margins of pectoral orange ; caudal with a black band at 

 its base, and another in its last third having a light edge ; outer 

 two thirds of anal blackish ; free rays black, with white in their 

 middle. 



Hab. Coromandel coast of India, and China. This fish is verv 

 common at Madras, attaining about 4 inches in length. 



14. Genus SYNANCIDIUM, Mull. 

 Syn. Buffichthys, Swains. 



Branchiostegals seven. Head monstrous and irregularly shaped 

 but without sharp spines. Villiform teeth on the jaws and vomer', 



