95 



2. Genus HOLOCENTRUM, Artedi. 

 Syn. Ilhynchichthys, Cuv. & Val. (young) ; Corniyer, Agassiz. 



Branchiostegals eight. Eyes large, lateral. Opercles aiid sub- 

 orbitals serrated ; opercle with two spines ; generally a large spine 

 at the angle of the preopercle. Villiforin teeth on the jaws, vomer, 

 and palatines. Two dorsal fins scarcely united ; ventral with one 

 spine and 7 rays ; anal with 4 spines, the third being long and 

 strong ; caudal forked. Scales ctenoid, of moderate size. Air- 

 bladder oval and simple. Pyloric appendages numerous. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



D. 11 | 1/13. No rostral spine 1. H. diadema, p. 95. 



D. 11 I 15. A bifid rostral spine 2. H. andamanense, p. 95. 



D. 11 I 13-14. Both in tranasal and rostral 



spines 3. H. caudimaculatum, p. 96. 



D. 11 | 12-13. Two rostral, no internasal 



spines 4. H. rubrum, p. 96. 



D. 10"| 1/11-12. No rostral spine ? .... 5. H. sammara, p. 97. 



843. (1.) Holocentrum diadema. 



Ilolocentrum diadema, Lacep. H. N. Poiss. iv, pp. 372, 374, pi. 32, 



fig. 3 ; Day, Fish. India, p. 171 (see synon.). 

 Kyouk byoo, Arracan. 

 D.I 1 | 1/13. P. 13. A. 4/9. C. 19. L. 1. 47-48. L.tr.3/7. Vert. 11/16. 



Length of head 3|, height of body 3| to 3f in the total length. 

 Eyes diameter 2 to 2i in length of head, \ diam. from end of 

 snout, and from \ to \ apart, width of interorbital space being 

 about \ of length of head. Lower edge of preorbital serrated and 

 having a strong blunt spiny projection, directed downwards and 

 forwards. Upper opercular spine the longest and strongest, but 

 not equalling that on the preopercle. No spines at nostrils nor 

 end of snout. Fins the fourth to the sixth dorsal spines the 

 longest, interspinous membrane deeply cleft ; the two dorsal fins of 

 about the same height. Ventral reaches the vent. Colour red, 

 with from 8 to 11 longitudinal silvery bands ; spinous dorsal 

 brownish black, having a white longitudinal band, the other fins 

 rosy. 



Hob. Bed Sea, east coast of Africa, seas of India, the Malay 

 Archipelago, China, and beyond. 



844. (2.) Holocentrum andamanense. 



Holocentrum andamanense, Day, P. Z. S. 1870, p. G86; and Fish. 

 India, p. 172, pi. xli, tig. 3. 



D. 11 | 15. P. 17. V. 1/7. A. 4/9. C.22. L. 1. 42. L. tr. 3|/7|. 



Length of head 3| to 3k height of body 3| to 3 in the total 

 length. Eyes diameter 3| to 3| in length of head, 1 diain from 



