


10. 
BALISTES ACULEATUS @ vrrrpis. 
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Order, BrancuiosTeGcous. 
Native Name, CK o1 salclassso, RATOOPOTOBARAH, or 
Moxr-KoraH—Rep Potosaran, or Riczr Pounper. 
B, ACULEATUS # VIRIDIS. ' First dorsal fin three-rayed. Tail entire, with 
two rows of recumbent spines at its base, three in each row. 
Dorsal fins, 1st 3 spines; 2nd 27 rays. Pectoral 13. Anal 23. Caudal 19. 
Eyes round. Iris golden. Ventral spine strong, toothed. Fins short, first 
dorsal, very broad and serrate forwards. 
Tae Ratoopotobarah, or Mol-Kotah of the Cingalese, inhabits 
rocky situations. It is eaten by the natives; but, owing to its 
insignificance as an article of food, and its almost impenetrable skin, 
is never sought after by the regular fisherman. 
This fish seldom exceeds nine or ten inches in length ; and when it 
attains that size, the green colour of the body gives place toa d 
hue, and the fine orange colour of its lines and fins becomes of 
yellow. 
arker 
ad usky 
Figure—Half the natural size of the Specimen. 
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