FISHES. 
69 
The total length is eleven inches, of which the caudal fin occupies two inches. From the tip of 
the nose to the anterior part of the orbit, the distance is one inch and five-eighths : the diameter of the 
orbit, three-eighths of an inch : the anterior ray of the first dorsal fin, one inch in length, is placed 
one inch behind the orbit : length of the first dorsal, one inch : between it and the second dorsal, one 
inch and a half: length of the second dorsal, two inches, that of its fourth ray being two inches and a 
quarter: from its termination to the base of the caudal, one inch and three-quarters: length of the 
outer ray of the caudal, two inches, of the middle rays, one and three-quarters: from the base of the 
caudal to the anal fin, one inch and three-quarters: base of the anal fin, one inch and three-quarters, 
its fourth ray being two inches in length: hence to the ventral, which is one quarter of an inch in 
length, an inch and three-quarters. The pectoral fins are moderate, an inch in length, by seven- 
eighths in their greatest breadth. The greatest height is above the ventral fin ; it is here three inches 
and a quarter : the depth across the tail is one inch. 
The only distinct mention of this fish with which we have met, is contained in the works of 
Willughby, Ray, and Grew; whose several figures and descriptions rest all apparently on a single 
specimen existing, in their time, in the Museum of the Royal Society. Of the identity of our species 
with theirs it is almost impossible to entertain a doubt. The synonyms quoted from them are referred 
by Bloch and succeeding writers to the Balistes maculatus, Bloch, a species differing in various 
respects, and particularly by its greater comparative breadth, its longer dorsal and anal fins, and the 
larger number of rays in those fins, 
Balistes sesquilineatus. 
Bal. olivaceo-virescens, lineis numerosis obliquis ( quorum plurimcB dimidiatce ) rubris: caudti, pectore, lineisque os 
ambientibus supramaxillari mentalique longa, cceruleis : pinnis flavescentibus : caudd aculeata . 
PLATE XXI. FIG. 3. 
Hab. in Oceano Pacifico, prope Taiti. 
This addition to the genus Balistes is known to us only by a drawing made by R. B. Beechey, Esq. 
It is readily distinguished from the other lineated species of the group, by the numerous abbreviated 
lines which occur on its upper surface, between the complete lines which cross the whole of 
the body; a disposition of marking which does not exist either in the Bal. lineatus, Schn., the 
Bal. Lamouroux, Quoy and Gaim., or the Bal. Zeylanicns (Bal. aculeatus B. xiridis, J. W. Bennett). 
It is also a much deeper fish than any of those just named. 
These four species constitute in the genus to which they belong a little group, which is rendered 
very remarkable by the lineated markings of the fishes which compose it. It would appear, from an 
observation made by Mr. J. W. Bennett (Fishes of Ceylon, No. 10), that the colours cannot be 
regarded as furnishing permanent distinctive characters. The form, however, can scarcely mislead 
us; and the nature of the lineation, it is probable, is also nearly constant. The form at once 
distinguishes the elongated Bal. Lamouroux, from the broadly ovate Bal. sesquilineatus : in the 
former too there are no abbreviated lines, and the hinder ones, (forming the greater number,) after 
passing downwards and backwards, are recurved upwards and forwards to the base of the dorsal 
fin. The Bal. lineatus, and the Bal. Zeylanicus nearly agree in their ovate form, but the former has 
the caudal fin almost square, while in the latter that part is rounded : the former has also but five 
lines between the eye and the mouth, while in the latter there are nine. Such at least appear to be 
distinguishing features in the figures given of each — to which, and to the descriptions, our knowledge 
is limited, as we have not had an opportunity of observing any one of them in nature. 
Balistes aculeatus, L. 
plate xxii. FIG. 2. 
A drawing, evidently of this species, was made by Mr. Beechey from a specimen obtained at 
Loo-Choo. It differs considerably in colouring from the various figures that have already been given, 
especially in the absence of the dark band between the eyes, and of those between the eyes and the 
