24 
PISCES THORACICI. PERCA. 
The trunk , till near the end of the dorsal fin, diminishes little in breadth, the back and belly convex, the sides 
compressed, convex ; tail broad. The lateral line, from the upper edge of the opercula, descends obliquely to 
within two inches and a half of the caudal fin, where it becomes straight and middle. Anus remote, small. 
Th e fins. Two distinct dorsal: in the first, two short and five stout declining spines; in the second, one 
spinous and thirteen soft assurgent rays; the pectoral low, short, acuminate at top, remarkably thin; ventral 
longer, thicker, with one strong spine; the anal rounded like the second dorsal, has three spines; the caudal 
fin orbicular. 
The colour of the head and back a darkish gray, growing lighter towards the belly, which with the breast 
and part of the face are pearl. The pectoral fin is of a faint, the ventral of a deep, yellow; the other fins are 
darker than the back. 
The length , one foot and a half. 
REMARKS. 
This fish grows to three feet and a half in length, but is best when of the size described, or about two feet 
long. It is reckoned one of the best fish brought to table, more especially at Calcutta, where it is known under 
the name of Cockup; but is rather rare at Vizagapatam, and held inferior to other fish more common on 
the coast. 
No. CXXXII. 
Perga cauda sub-integra; spinis dorsalibiis duo decern; capita acuto, toto squamoso; corpora 
drierco, squcimis ciliatis ; spinet anali secunda permagna. 
The Perch with a tail hardly divided; twelve dorsal spines; the head sharp, entirely 
squamous; a cineritious body with ciliated scales; the second anal spine very big. 
Called by the Natives Guoraka. 
12 l_ _ 3 _ 
B. vii. D. 26. P. 17. V. 6. A. 1 I. C. 17. 
The body nearly of the form of the common Perch; the scales large and ciliate, and rise unusually high on 
the anal fin. 
The head sharp, declivous, squamous; the mouth low, the teeth, tongue, palate, &c. as usual. 
The eyes supreme, large; iris silvery. Nostrils high, close to each other, unequal, the posterior oval. 
The lateral line arched to the end of the dorsal fin, then straight, and exactly middle. 
The fins. The spinous portion of the dorsal fin, arched, the ramous short, slightly rounded; the pectoral 
long, acuminate at top ; the second ray of the ventral setaceous. The ramous rays of the anal declining; the 
second spinous ray remarkably stout; the caudal broad, emarginate. 
The colour. The head light, resplendent, reflecting various colours. The back light gray, growing paler 
towards the line, below which it is of a yellowish white. The dorsal fin a little dusky, with some small black 
spots on the membrane. The other fins have a cast of yellow. 
The length of the subject described, two feet; but that of the specimen drawn only eight inches. 
