PLEURONECTID^:. 443 



Teeth minute. Fins anterior dorsal rays elevated, a rather 

 strong preaual spine. Scales ctenoid on coloured, cycloid on blind 

 side. Lateral line height of curve equals half its length. Colour 

 rich brown, with three large heart-shaped purplish ocelli trian- 

 gularly disposed, the two anterior on a transverse line slightly 

 before middle of fish, the third on lateral line midway between 

 them and base of c'audal. Vertical fins dusky yellow, covered with 

 irregularly shaped dark blotches ; pectoral yellowish, with some 

 fine black spots. 



Hal. Madras to the Malay Archipelago ; attaining 6 or 8 inches 

 in length. 



4. Genus PLATOPHRYS, Swainson. 

 Syn. Bothus, Bp. ; RhomloidicUhys, Bleeker. 



Branchiostegals six. Cleft of mouth moderate or of small extent. 

 Eyes on the left side separated by a concave interorbital space of 

 varying extent. Jaws and dentition nearly equally developed on 

 both sides ; teeth minute, of equal size and in a single or double 

 row. Vomeriue and palatine teeth, as a rule, absent. The dorsal 

 fin commences on the snout, its ravs and those of the anal simple. 

 Scales ctenoid, and extended on to the dorsal and anal rays. 

 Lateral line having a strong curve anteriorly. 



Geographical Distribution. Tropical seas, also Japan and the 

 Mediterranean. 



1320. (1.) Platophrys pantherina. (Fig. 158.) 



Rhombus pantherinus, Hiipp. Atl. p. 121, t. 31, fig. 1. 

 Platophrys pantherinus, Day, Fish. India, p. 425, pi. xcii, figs. 3 & 4 

 (see synon.). 



Fig. 158. Platophrys pantherina. 



D. 85-91. P. 10. V. 6. A. 05-70. C. 18. L. 1. 75-85. 

 Length of head 4|, height of body 2 in the total length. Eyes 



