421 



lateral edges ; teeth in the pharyngeals confluent and pavement- 

 like. Dorsal with nearly the same number of spines as rays ; anal 

 with more rays than the second dorsal. Scales of moderate size, 

 extended over the cheeks and opercles ; an enlarged row at base of 

 caudal fin. Lateral line continuous. 



1294. (1.) Pseudodax moluccanus. (Fig. 146.) 



Odax moluccanus, CHV. $ Val. H. N. Poiss. xiv, p. 305, pi. 408, tig. 2 



(head). 

 Pseudodax moluccanus, Day, Fish, India, p. 409, pi. Ixxxix, fig. 1 



(see synon.). 



D. 11/12. P. 15. V. 1/5. A. 3/14. C.14. L.I. 32-33. L.tr.4/12. 



Length of head 4|, height of body 3g in the total length. Eyes 

 diameter 5g in length of head, 2 diarn. from end of snout, and 

 1| apart. Colour back brownish red, abdomen lighter; most 

 of the body-scales with a dark central spot. Teeth green. Dorsal 



Fig. 146. Pseudodax moluccanus. 



and anal yellow in their basal portions, the former having black 

 reticulated lines, a dark base, and a blue margin ; anal from two to 

 four dark undulating longitudinal bands and a dark blue-margined 

 outer edge. Pectoral with a dark mark at its base. Caudal 

 brown, with a blue posterior edge, some vertical darker bands, and 

 large scales at its base of a light buff colour. 



Hob. Nicobars, east coast of Africa, and Malay Archipelago. 



18. Genus SCARICHTHYS, Bleeker. 



Body oblong, compressed. Upper lip double in its whole 

 extent. Teeth in one row, anteriorly soldered together, those in 

 mandibles in a very oblique row ; the inferior pharyngeal toothed 

 plate broader than" long. Dorsal with fewer spines, which are 

 flexible, than rays. Scales large, a single row on the cheeks. 

 Lateral line entire. 



Geographical Distribution. Indian Ocean and tropical Pacific. 



