334 



FISHES. 



[Chap. X. 



each, eye and another at the angles of the mouth are the 

 most conspicuous. Sharp spines project on the crown and 

 on the side of the gill-apparatus, as in the other sea- 

 perches, Scorpcena, Serranus, &c, of which these are 



PTEROIS VOLITANS. 



only a modified and ornate form. The extraordinary ex- 

 pansion of their fins is not, however, accompanied by a 

 similar development of the bones to which they are 

 attached, simply because they appear to have no peculiar 

 function, as in flying fishes, or in those where the spines 

 of the fins are weapons of offence. They attain to the 

 length of twelve inches, and to a weight of about two 

 pounds ; they live on small marine animals, and by the 

 Singhalese the flesh (of some at least) is considered good 

 for table. Nine or ten species are known to occur in 



