7 6 TELEOSTEI. AC A NTH OPTER I C II . 



821. (1.) Synanceia verrucosa. (Fig. 34.) 



Synanceia verrucosa, Bl. ScJm. Syst. IcJi. p. 195, t. 45 ; Day, Pish. 

 India, p. 162, pi. xxxix, fig. 4 (see synon.). 



D. 13/6-8. P. 1/8. V. 6. C. 10-12. dec. pyl. 0(4). Vert. 10/14. 

 Length of head 2|, height of body "2\ in the total length. Eyes 

 diameter 6 to 7 in length of head and 2 diam. from end of snout. 

 Interorbital space very concave ; orbits but little elevated. A 

 slight groove on the cheek. The anterior extremity of the lower 

 jaw is on the dorsal profile. Body with cutaneous excrescences, 



Fig. 34. Synanceia verrucoM. 



and many filaments about the head. Colour brownish, caudal 

 with a vertical dark band down its centre and white margins ; 

 pectoral and ventral with dark edges and light borders ; anal 

 banded. 



Hub. Red Sea, east coast of Africa, seas of India to the Malay 

 Archipelago and beyond ; attaining at least ]3 inches in length. 



This species is well known at the Mauritius and dreaded on 

 account of the wounds inflicted by its dorsal spines, each of which 

 is grooved and has a small poison- bag attached. Men are said to 

 have died as a result of the wounds. 



16. Genus LEPTOSYNANCEIA, Bleeker. 

 Syn. Pseudosynanceia, Bay. :^i^ 



Branchiostegals seven. Body elongate, anteriorly subcylindri- 

 cal, posteriorly compressed ; head broad, depressed. Eyes on the 

 upper surface of the head, directed upwards. Preopercle and pre- 

 orbital armed. Gill-opening with a superior as well as posterior 

 orifice, the two being continuous. Villiform teeth in the jaws and 

 on the vorner, none on the palate or tongue. A single dorsal fin 



