44 
THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
Platycephalus insidiator, Guv. & Val. iv. p. 227 ; Cantor , p. 37 ; Gunther , ii. p. 177. 
Ierwa, Bussell , pi. 46. 
Calliomorus chaca, Ham. Buck ., pp. 133, 373. 
Platycephalus chacca, Gray , Ill. Indian Zool. ii. pi. 93, f. 2. 
B. vii. D. 1 | 7 | 13. P. 17. Y. 1. A. 13. C. 15. L. r. 94. L. tr. if. 
Length, of head nearly f, of pectoral of caudal f, of base of first dorsal f, of base of second 
dorsal of base of anal of total length. Height of head ^ 3 , of body f, of first dorsal of 
second dorsal of ventral I, of anal jl,- of total length. 
Eyes—Diameter yy of length of head, 11 diameters apart, 2 diameters from end of snout. 
Head strongly compressed and flattened above, its superior surface being almost triangular, 
the base of which is between the spines of the preopercle, and its apex at the snout. Width of 
head between preopercular spines is three-fourths of its length. The body subcylindrical. 
Lower jaw slightly the longest, the maxilla extends to beneath the centre of orbit. Inter- 
obital space flat, or slightly concave from side to side, eyes on the upper surface of the head, which 
has two spiniferous ridges extending backwards, oue internal, which bifurcates over the occiput: 
the second or temporal from the posterior margin of the orbit terminates at the suprascapular in 
two flattened blade-like spines. One small sharp spine at the anterior superior angle of the orbit, 
no spines at nostrils. Preorbital with three raised grooves starting in a stellated form from a 
common centre. Intermaxillary bones protrusible. Preopercle -with most of its surface forming a 
portion of the flattened upper plane of the head, and having two very strong spines at its angle, 
the inferior of which is the largest and equals the diameter of the eye. Opercle forming a por¬ 
tion of the flattened upper surface of the head, and having two minute spines. 
Teeth—Numerous, and fine in the upper jaw, and a large triangular toothed space at the 
internal extremity of each intermaxillary, where some larger teeth are intermingled with villiform 
ones. Three rows of sharp teeth in lower jaw. A convex band of sharp teeth on vomer, and a 
single series in the palate. 
Fins—Ffist dorsal triangular, spines weak, the first slightly the longest, interspinous mem¬ 
brane very slightly emarginate. A small, stout, single spine before the first dorsal, and sometimes 
another fine one between it and second dorsal. Origin of pectoral partially hidden by the opercle, 
w hil st it covers the commencement of the ventral, which extends to below the third ray of second 
dorsal. Caudal emarginate, lower lobe the longest. No swimming bladder. 
Scales—Small, ctenoid, extending in front to between the orbits, and over the opercular 
pieces. 
Lateral hue—Smooth. 
Colours—Dirty brown above, and dirty white below, the darker colours being sometimes 
banded on the head and body, and having a yellowish tinge. Pectoral greyish brown, spotted 
with dark brown, more especially at its base. Dorsal, ventral, and anal diaphanous, spotted with 
light brown. Caudal bright yellow, spotted with brown, which is most apparent at its base, and 
having a deep black band bordered with pure white, crossing obliquely the posterior third of the 
upper lobe of caudal, whilst another very deep black band bordered with white extends along 
the whole of the outer side of the lower lobe, between these two bands are one or two lighter 
ones variously disposed in different individuals. 
Known as the “ Crocodile Fish” in Malabar: as wounds from its spines are dreaded, it is 
