



SCORPAINA VOLITANS. 
MUSEUM, 
D’HISTUIRE | 
NATUBELL EY 


Order, ‘THoracic. 
(Shaw, Vol. IV., p. 277. Nat. Miscellany, fig. 768.) 
Native Name, Liege Gint-Mana—Grear Fire. 
S. VOLITANS. Pectoral fins longer than the body. 
Branchiostegous rays 6. Dorsal 24, thirteen spinous, varied with black and 
reddish brown ; the colours stronger on the spinous rays than on the others. 
Pectoral 14; the connecting membrane bluish and brown. Ventral 6, one 
spinous, bluish, spotted with white. -dnal 10, three spinous. Caudal 12. 
Tue Gini-Maha of the Cingalese answers to the description of the 
Scorpena volitans given by Bloch, with the exception of the number 
of rays in the dorsal fin; Bloch gives twelve only. 
Some say it is never used as food; but the Cingalese fishers not only 
allow that it may be eaten, but that its flesh is very white, solid, and 
nutritious, Linneus describes the flesh as delicious. Many of the 
natives aver that this fish has the power of inflicting wounds which 
cannot be cured by medical treatment; but no reliance can be placed 
on a mere hypothesis. 
Although Linneeus in naming, as well as in his description of this 
animal, would make it appear to be possessed of the power of flying, 
the membranes of the pectoral fins are not, to appearance, sufficiently 
united or proportioned to the body to admit of volitation ; and, indeed, 
the native fishers confirm this position. 
Figure—The natural size of the Specimen. 
B 
