a 
CHATODON VESPERTILIO. 


Order, 'THoRACICc. 
Native Name, © wes: ay Kota Hanpan—Lear Moon. 
C. VESPERTILIO. Dorsal spines 5. Dorsal and anal fins broad. Caudal fin 
with a brown band. 

Branchiostegous rays 4. Dorsal 42, five spinous. Pectoral 15. Ventral 6, 
one spinous. Anal 13, three spinous. Caudal 16. Head without scales, 
Iris golden, mouth small, lips thick, lateral line arched, 

Tus species of Cheetodon is scarce on the southern coast of Ceylon, 
and being considered by the native fishers unwholesome, from a sort 
of food to which it is partial, as well as to the copper of ships, is never 
made use of. 
It attains a very large size, and is called Kola Handah from the 

resemblance it bears in the dorsal fin to the leaf of a marine plant; 
and in the shape of the body to that of the moon. 
This fish is occasionally found in rocky situations, but generally in 
deep water. 
This Chaetodon corresponds, in every respect, with C. vespertilio of 
Bloch, except in colour, which (if the hypothesis may be ventured) 

might have occurred through Bloch’s specimen having been coloured 
from one in spirits. 
Figure—The natural size of the Specimen. 
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