C 7 3 
III. Description of a Species of Chatodon , called, by the Malays, 
Ecan bonna. By Mr. William Bell, Surgeon in the Service of 
the East India Company, at Bencoolen. Communicated by Sir 
Joseph Banks, Bart. P. R. S. 
Read January 17, 1793. 
The fish called Ecan bonna, by the Malays, is broad, flat, 
and of a lead colour ; the belly is flat, white, and in places 
tinged with green. The eyes are a bright yellow. The body 
is covered with small semicircular scales. 
Its length is generally about eighteen inches ; its breadth 
thirteen, and, at the thickest part, it is nearly three inches 
thick. 
It is frequently caught at Bencoolen, and several other 
parts on the west coasts of Sumatra, and is said to grow to a 
much larger size. Its flesh is white, firm, and well flavoured, 
and it is considered as a good fish for the table. 
It has six fins : two pectoral, two ventral, one dorsal, and 
one anal fin. The tail is broad, and of a triangular form. 
The pectoral fins are small, blunted at their ends, and 
placed a little behind the gills. 
The ventral fins are placed on the sternum, and are longer, 
and more pointed. 
The dorsal fin arises at the beginning of the spinous pro- 
cesses of the back, and is continued down nearly to the tail. 
The anal fin arises a little below the anus, and is also conti- 
