406 



sonnerat's file-fish. 



dorsal and anal fin placed opposite : tail large, oval, 

 and of a blackish cast : the rest of the fins, pale : 

 ventral spines not apparent : above the eyes a 

 single smooth spine of moderate length. Native 

 of the Indian seas. 



sonnerat's file-fish. 



Balistes Sonneratii. B. griseus, fhorace suhtus albido, fascia 



utrinque lunafa nigra. 

 Grey File-Fish^ with the thorax whitish beneath, and marked 



on each side by a black crescent. 

 Le Baliste Bourse. Cepede. 



Length from six to ten inches : shape ovate : 

 colour grey-brown above, and blueish white be- 

 neath from the mouth to the beginning of the 

 ventral fin, the two colours being separated by a 

 line of white : skin rough ; fin above the head con- 

 sisting of four or five rays, united by a membrane ; 

 the first ray stronger than the rest : on each side 

 the head, crossing the eyes, a black crescent, pass- 

 ing downwards as far as the base of the pectoral 

 fin : the horns pointing backwards : beyond this 

 an oblong, slightly forked spot : dorsal and anal 

 fin placed opposite, and of a white colour : ventral 

 spines rough, slightly prominent, and black, the co- 

 lour being continued along the lower part between 

 them and the vent : tail nearly even. Native of the 

 Indian seas : observed by Sonnerat about the coasts 

 of the Isle of France : by Gapt. G. Tobin about 

 those of Otaheitee, 



