







19. 
PERCA FLAVA-PURPUREA. 
Order, TwoRacic. 
Native Name, Bs Sez us Kana LAWEYAH. 
P. rrava-purpurEA. Body, from the eye to the dorsal and anal fins, purple ; 
eradually lighter towards the lower part; the remainder of the body and all 
the fins bright yellow ; the upper and lower extremity of the caudal fin 
touched with an irregular black spot; the ventral has also a large and a 
smaller spot, in conformity with the caudal fin. ‘The iris of the eyeis golden. 
The teeth are numerous. The general appearance of this fish is splendid 
and graceful. 
Branchiostegous rays 7. Dorsal 28, nine spinous. Pectoral\7. Ventral 6, 
one spinous. Anal 1, three spinous. Caudal 17. 
Tue Kaha Laweyah of the Cingalese is scarce on the southern 
coast of Ceylon, the Author, in the course of two years, having 
met with but one specimen. Its flesh is said to be excellent, and if 
more abundant, no doubt the fish would be in the highest request. 
It inhabits rocky situations, and probably the deepest water, which 
may prevent its being frequently taken by the fishermen. It was 
first described by Lacepede, from the short notes and unfinished 
drawings of Commerson, and has been since engraved in the fine 
work of Guinard, tab. 57, fig. 2, forming part of Freycinet’s Voyage, ° 
under the name of Serran Bourgnon. It is fully described in 
Cuvier’s History of Fish, vol. ii. p. 297, under the name of Gerranus 
flavo-czruleus. 
Figure—About three-fourths the natural size of the Specimen. 




