F f S H E S OF C E y L N . m^^^^i/m^^^s^^w^^?i^^^'' «*• o jyr t t> »V «i^v ■ ■ XN!^ ^/ '.'^/ /-tt^ ft.1 L SEP 1 6 1928 (r ' // J DEDICATED, BY SPECIAL PERMISSION, TO HIS MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY GEORGE IV. KING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, AND KING OF HANOVER, &c. &c. &c. SELECTION FROM THE MOST REMARKABLE AND INTERESTING OF THE FISHES FOUND ON THE COAST OF CEYLON. FROIM DRAWINGS MADE IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THAT ISLAND, FROM THE LIVING SPECIMENS, By JOHN WHITCHURCH BENNETT, Esq. FELLOW OF THE LINN^EAN AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES*, AND MEMBER OF THE LITERARY AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF CEYLON. SECOND EDITION. %~^0 LONDON : EDWARD BULL, HOLLES STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. 1834. '6^- f-.V ""^ A USA itCi Li', -^"'^r ev\f;.j;i!DGE. MA IHU SCORP^NA VOLITANS. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, c^i$r^dso Gini-Maiia. G/;//, Fire — il/«//c/, Great. S. VOLITANS. Pectoral fins longer than the body. Braiichiostegous 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. Anal 10, three spinous. Caudal 12. The Gini-Maha of the Cingalese accords with the description given by Bloch of the Scorpsena volitans, with the exception of the number of radii in the dorsal fin ; — Bloch gives twelve only. The native fishermen attribute to this fish the power of inflicting wounds, for which there is no cure yet known ; but that, at present, is a mere hypothesis, and should be received as such. Although the name given to this animal by Linnaeus would justify the supposition that it possesses the power of flying, the membranes of the pectoral fins are not sufficiently united or pro- portioned to the body to admit of volitation ; a position which the native fishers unanimously confirm. Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. MCZ L!firiA,»;y »«^aVARD UNIVERWTY CAMBRIDGE. MA USA 2. ACANTHURLS VITl^ATUS. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, ^^{^^ Sewevah. A. viTT VTUS. Armed near the caudal fin with a sharp curved spine. Body striated. Brmichiostegous rays 3. Dorsal 35, ten spinous. Pectoral 15. Ventral 6, one spinous. ^w«/ 28, two spinous. Caudal li). The Seweyah is an extremely scarce fish on the southern coast of Ceylon : inhabits rocky situations, and is not in request but for the gratification of the Naturalist. It seldom exceeds sixteen or seven- teen inches in length, and is well armed near the caudal fin with a sharp curved spine, which it raises or depresses at pleasure : the former is the case when the animal is in a state of excitement or rage. The spine, when depressed, is scarcely visible within the scabbard which Nature has assigned it, resembling in appearance a recent incision. For the present figure, six or seven specimens were procured, no two of which were alike in the arrangement of the blue and yellow- streaks near the caudal fin. No lateral line visible to the naked eye. Figure — Nearly the natural size of the Specimen. i ■? 3. GOMPHOSUS FUSCUS. Order^ Thoracic. Native Name, (^^t^^yoZJi^oinS^ Koppara Girawah. Kappa?'a, Porpus — Gh-aivah, Parrot. G. FUSCUS. Body brown. Gills, dorsal and anal fins brownish red. Branchiostegous rays 6. Z)o/-*«/ 22, eight spinous. Pectoral 16. Ventral 6. Anal 14, two spinous. Caudal 14. This species of Gomphosus is very rarely to be met with on the southern coast of Ceylon. The Cingalese fishermen admit that it is wholesome ; but that it has nothing to recommend it, whether tor the purposes of sale, or to the natives as an article of food, which may be attributed, next to its scarcity, to its diminutive size. The Koppara Girawah inhabits rocky situations. Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. BCZ USSA»Y - - UN1VEA.HTY ■Z. MA tf9« 4. HOLOCENTRUS RUBER. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, ^^^3\'C '^'ii^ ^^ Ratoo Pahayah — Red Pahayah. H. RUBER. Body, head, and fins, bright red. Scales partially tinged with gold. Branchiostegous rays 5. Dorsal 20, eleven spinous. Pectoral 12. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal 14, four spinous. Caudal 19. The Ratoo Pahayah is found, at certain seasons, in great abun- dance, on the southern coast of Ceylon, generally in deep water. Its flesh is white and solid, and in general estimation. It attains a considerable size, from eighteen inches to two feet in length. For splendour and beauty this fish, w^hen small, may be considered to equal, if not surpass the gold fish (Cyprinus auratus) of China ; but it loses the brilliancy of its colours as it increases in size. Figure— The natural size of the Specimen. MA USA 5. CH.ETODON VESPERTILIO. Order, Thoracic. OON. Native Name, ^^%^^0/€^ ^^S'^^^ Kola Hoxdaii — Leaf M C. VESPERTILIO. Dorsal spines 5. Dorsal and anal fins broad. Caudal fin with a brown band. Brayichiostegous rays 4. Dorsal 42, five spinous. Pectoral 15. Ventral 6, one spinous. ^/«rt/ 13, three spinous. Caudal l6. Head without scales. Iris golden, mouth small, lips thick, lateral line arched. This species of ChEetodon is very rare on the southern coast of Ceylon, and is considered by the native fishers so very unwholesome, from its peculiar food, that it is never made use of. It attains a very large size, and is called by the Cingalese, Kola Hondah, from a supposed resemblance 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 most com- monly in deep water. This Chtetodon corresponds, in eveiy respect, with C. vespertilio of Bloch, except in colour, which might have occurred through that Naturalist's specimen having been coloured from one in spirits. figure — The natural size of the Specimen. MC7 LIBRARY MA USA 6. HOLOCENTRUS ARGENTEUS. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, sjj \^l..S^j Pookoorowah. H. ARGENTEUS. Body silvery, with reddish-brown longitudinal lines. Sranc/iiosfegous rays 6. Dorsal 25, twelve spinous. Pectoral 14. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal 10, three spinous. Caudal 16. Pectoral, ventral, and anal fins, yellow, tinged with red. Dorsal fin, neutral tint. Caudal fin, dark indigo, inclining to black. The Pookoorowah of the Cingalese is a very delicious fish. It seldom exceeds twelve or thirteen inches in length, inhabits rocky situations, and abounds, at certain seasons, on the coasts of Ceylon. Figtire — The natural size of the Specimen. l", r— ■ ' ' !"'^A«^T m ■;iVE?>GiTY c,^. ^■^1. MA USA .^sammi,^ \ r. CH^TODON VAGABUNDUS. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, ^OCa— ^JO' Gal-Lellah — Stone Plank C. VAGABUNDUS. Tail entire. Dorsal spines 13. Body striate. Snout cylindrical. Branchiostegous rays 3. Dorsal 38, thirteen spinous. Pectoral l-l. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal 23, three spinous. Caudal 16. Body pale yellow, witli brownish-purple lines ; above the eyes a black band ; another at the end of the trunk ; and a third through the middle of the tail. Scales of the body large ; of the head small. Flesh good. This fish is known to the native fishers in the districts of Galle and Matura, by the name of Gal-Lellah ; but every maritime province in Ceylon has a peculiar name for its various fishes. This species inhabits rocky situations, seldom exceeds twelve or thirteen inches in length, is eaten by the natives, but not sought after by the regular fisherman for the purposes of sale. In some specimens, the purple lines on the body are straight ; in others, nearly so, or partially curved. Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. R MJ < o 8. CHtETODON brownriggii. Order, Thoracic. 1^. Native Name, W) ^0^ ^ ob SCXCO^ Kaha Bartikyaii — Yellow. C. BKOAVNRiGGii. Tail entire. Dorsal spines 13. Body and fins yellow ; above the lateral line, bright smalt. Branchiostegons rays 4. Dorsal 23, thirteen spinous. Pectoral 14. Ventral 4, one spinous. Anal 13, two spinous. Caudal 16. Body, beneath the lateral line, and fins, yeUow ; a deep black spot at the extremity of the dorsal fin. Lateral line marked by the termination of the yeUow and bright blue of the body. The Kaha Bartikyaii of the Cingalese is too insignificant in point of size — never having been known, by the local fishermen, to exceed two inches in length — to be much sought after as an article of food. Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. KC7 U!?'"?.«\^Y p-A', ,.1\7I,«.-3ITY r. MA USA 9. SCORPiENA MILES. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, ^^^§^^. Ratoo Gini Maiia — Great Red Fire. S. MILES. Spines round the eyes, and partially on the lateral line near the head. Branchiostegous rays G. Z)o;-5«/ 33, thirteen spinous. Pectoral 1^. Ventral Q, one spinous. Anal 9, three spinous. Caudal 12. Head large, with six cirri on the gills. Pectoral fin, with large irregular black spots, ^'entral, anal, dorsal, and caudal fins, with small black spots. The Ratoo Gini Maha of the Cingalese inhabits rocky situations, and is described as a most voracious animal. The native fishers differ in opinion with regard to its wholesomeness as an article of food. TheScorpaena Miles, independently of colour, differs from S. volitans (j)late ],) in the length of the pectoral fins, which, in the former, are not so long as the body, — in the cirri on the top of the head, and in the formation of the membranes of the pectoral fins, which, though in this animal they are more united, are certainly not sufficiently proportioned to the body to admit of volitation. Figure — Two-thirds the natural size of the Specimen. MC" Lr.RARY -£• MA USn 10. BALISTES ACULEATUS /s vmmis. Order, Branchiostegous. Native Najne, C^S^eol^a>J(^^ ^>//^p»x)i Ratoopotobarah, or MoL-KoTAH — Red Potobarah, or Rice Pounder. B. ACULEATUS (i 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 12. Eyes round. Iris golden. Ventral spine strong, toothed. Fins short, first dorsal, very broad and serrate forwards. The 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 to a darker hue, and the fine orange colour of its lines and fins becomes of a dusky yellow. Figure — Half the natural size of the Specimen. ¥: iVt Cv-* ;. ; .. I . . uJ ■■-•> :z. r I -^ k> ^« 'i.\».KiiMiHAtA'2aiMati .-n L^u.A^ . 11. ACANTHURUS HIRUDO. Order, Thoracic. Native I^ame, ^^ <5 in'^ft)^ Kara Hamoowah. A. HIRUDO. Body strongly marked with five black stripes, three of them resembling leeches. Branchiostegous rays 2. Z>o?'sa/ 32, nine spinous. Pectoral 14:. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal 23, three spinous. Caudal 16. Lateral line much curved, and armed near the caudal fin with a sharp spine. The Kara Hamoowah of the Cingalese inhabits rocky situations. It seldom exceeds eleven or twelve inches in length, and is esteemed wholesome by the Cingalese. The sharp spine, horizontally situated near the caudal fin, and pointing towards the head of the animal, can be raised or depressed at pleasure ; but, when recumbent, it is scarcely visible to the naked eye. Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. ■■;aT 12. SPARUS HARDWICKE. Order, Thoracic. r J ^ ^ s^j SLOWER Parrot. S. HARDWICKE. The body marked with six perpendicular dark stripes, intersected with horizontal lines of purple, green, red, yellow, blue, and grey, in gaudy colours. The head is variegated with red and green marks, radiating from the eye. Branchiostegoiis lays 6. Z)orsaZ 20, eight spinous. Pectoral H. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal ISj two spinous. Caudal 16. The Mal-Girawah of the Cingalese owes its name to the brilliant variety of its colours — mal signifying flower. This variety the Author is led thus to designate as a tribute of respect to his friend, General Hardwicke, of the Honourable East India Company's Bengal Artillery, alike distinguished in the pursuit of Botany and Natural histoiy, for whose ready and able assistance m this work, the Author is desirous to record his gratitude. The Mal-Girawah, though not particularly sought after by the fisherman, is not objected to as food. It has been known to attain the length of fourteen inches, but seldom, if ever, to exceed that size, and inhabits, like the rest of the Girawah tribe, rocky situations. Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. c. KCZ US,l»|i»Y 13. BODIAN CUVIER. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, ^zJ^e-jn O(^zjo. De WEEBORALOOWAH. B. cuviEU. The body marked with strong brown longitudinal lines, the head, back, and tail, bright yellow, alternating with the brown stripes of the body. Branchiostegous rays 'i: Z)o?'sa/ 31, thirteen spinous. Pectoral 17. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal 10, three spinous. Caudal 17. The Deweeboraloowah of the Cingalese is a wholesome but very scarce fish on the Southern coast of Ceylon. It inhabits rocky situ- ations, and seldom exceeds eighteen inches in length. The Author, during a period of two years, could only obtain one Specimen of this extraordinary fish, which he has named after the distinguished Perpetual Secretary of the Royal Institute of France, who has, both oflicially and privately, distinguished the First Part of this work by his approbation and encouragement, and conferred an honor on it which is best expressed in that celebrated Naturalist's own words : — " J'ai deja eu occasion de le citer dans le troisi^me volume Grande Ictijologie." Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. \ vmy 14. SPARUS DECUSSATUS. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, g.S(^S^ ^I"^^^^^-<^^«^^^'^"- L_V Basket Parrot. S. DECUSSATUS. The back green, gradually softening inlo a yellow tinge towards the lower fins; the body regularly marked, like wicker-work, by graduated purple and grey tints. The head green, ornamented with orange-coloured stripes and spots. Tne fins and tail yellow. Brcmchiostegous rays 4;. Do?-s«/ 21, nine spinous. PectoralXS. Ventral &, one spinous. Anal 14, eleven spinous. Caudal 16. The Hembili-Girawah of the Cingalese derives its name from a sort of pouch or basket in which the natives carry their Betel-Leaf, (Piper Betel), Cliunam, (Shell Lime), Tobacco, and Areka-Nut, (Areka Catechu), called flembili. Girawah, the Cingalese name for Parrot, is a term indiscriminately applied by the natives to a variety of splendid fishes with which the coast of Ceylon abounds. The Hembili-Girawah is edible, but is never sought after as an article of food. It inhabits rocky situations, and seldom exceeds fourteen or fifteen inches in length. Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. Grw,.^.-i:j,-.. ,.,« USA ■a^ 15. BALISTES BIACULEATUS. Order, Thot^acic. Native Name, ^i j^^W C^T^ Ankatillah. (^ B. BIACULEATUS. Bocly silvery throughout. The fins of a dull yellow, except the first dorsal, which is black towards the base. Dorsal rays, first four spinous, second 24. Pectoral 14: . Ventral I. Anal 19. Caudal 12. Lateral linej from the head to near the extremity of the dorsal fin, arched. This Balistes derives its specific name from the peculiar structure of the ventral fin. The Ankatilla of the Cingalese is generally found in deep water, and rarely on the Southern Coast of Ceylon. It has a very tough outer skin without scales, seldom exceeds twelve or thirteen inches in length, and by the native Fishers is considered wholesome food. Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. MC- HA" i»;a u«A / !\ J 16. LABRUS FORMOSUS. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, <5^c)^oEh RattooGirawah. L. FORMOSUS. Body grey, irregularly marked with circular black spots. Head bright yellow, intersected by two beautiful diagonal lines of blue, verging towards sea green, one of which ranges with the eye. The first dorsal spine twice the length of the fin, and of a bright red color, which passes through the extremity of the fin, above and through the centre of which passes a greenish-blue line ; the caudal fin is curiously adapted, having its radii circular at the base, and alternately ornamented with circular black dots ; rather more than half of the fin is bright red, the remainder semi transparent white, inclining to a very pale yellow. Lateral line very visible, convexing towards the head, and also under the fifteenth ray, from the termination of which it proceeds in a direct line to the centre of the caudal fin. Branchiostegous rays b. Dors«Z 21, nine spinous. Pectoral\2. Ventral 6. Anal 15, three spinous. Caudal 15. The Rattoo-Girawah of the Cingalese is one of the most beautiful of its species. It is scarce, therefore not sought for the purposes of food, although occasionally for the gratification of the naturalist. Its flesh is firm, white, and nutritious, but such qualities are scarcely sufficient to produce a reconciliation to the destruction of such an interesting object of Nature. The Rattoo-Girawah is generally taken in rocky situations, and has been known to attain the length of twenty-four inches. It belongs to the genus Julis of Cuvier, and is allied to Julis Ganymede of Freycinet's Voyage, tab. 54. Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. H I B7V MA «S* 17. CH^TODON ARATsEUS. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, ^/^&h yZS Gal-Handaii. C. ARANEUS. Body very obtuse, perpendicularly striped witii dark grey, approaching- to black ; the first stripe taking part of the dorsal fin, the shoulder, and the eye ; the second, about one-third the centre of the dorsal fin, jitretching forward to the pectoral, and terminating with the ventral fin ; tbe third stripe takes a portion of the dorsal fin, crossing the body and terminating with the anal fin : the caudal fin is colored like the stripes, the intervals are white, tinged with blue. The iris silvery. Lateral line very visible and arched, conve.xing towards the eye, Br anchiostegoiis rays 5. jDorsaZ 21, twelve spinous. Pectoral li:. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal 13, three spinous. Caudal 18. The Gal-Handah of the Cingalese is a singular fish of its species, and therefore admired. It is found in rocky situations, which offer it protection from larger fish of prey. The flesh is delicate and white, and although so small, is much esteemed. It rarely exceeds three inches in length. Block has given a bad figure of this fish, tab. 198, fig. 2, evidently taken from a specimen in spirits. It forms the genus Dascyllus of Cuvicr. Figure — The natural size of ihe Specimen. HA 18. CHiETODON ATRO-MACULATUS. Order, Thouacic. Native IS! ame, Q^C^OC^^Ol!'). Dewi Koralkvaii. C. ATRO-MACULATUS. Body silvcry, apparently shot with a lilac and pink hue above the lateral line, and irregularly marked with black spots of various forms. The fins remarkably prominent, and with radii strongly indicated ; the spines on the dorsal and lower fins very powerful ; the pectoral fin pale yellow. The general appearance inelegant and formidable. Lateral line very visible and arched. Branchiostegotis rays 4. Dors«Z 26^ eleven spinous. PeclorallQ. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal 18, four spinous. Caudal 18. The Dewi Koralejah of the Cingalese inhabits rocky situations, is generally found at the mouths of rivers, and as high up as the tlow of the tide. It is generally esteemed, its flesh partaking the flavor of trout. It is found wherever the sea-weed called by the Cingalese " Pendah,'' grows, of which it is particularly fond, and with this w^eed anfflers bait their hooks for it. Block, the German Historian, has described a fish which in many respects corresponds with this, under the Linnaean name" Chaetodon Argus;" but in his colored figure the spots are represented as circular, with the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, yellow; whereas the fins of the Dewi Koraleyah are never yellow until life has been for some time extinct, and the spots are of various forms. This fish belongs to the genus Ephippus of Cuvicr, and the Cavaliers of the French. Dr. Russel, in his fine work on Indian Fishes, t. 78, equally figures the spots as round, so that the shape of the spots may be liable to vary ; the number of rays in the fins, given by Dr. Russel, agree well with our fish. Figure — • About two-thirds the size of the Specimen. ■t MA U»A 19. PERCA FLAVA-PURPUREA. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, ^ Srj, z-^) "o* S 06^ Kaha Lam'evah. P. FLAVA-PURPUREA. Body, from the eye to the dorsal and anal fins, purple ; gradually 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 eye is golden. The teeth are numerous. The general appearance of this fish is splendid and graceful. Branchiostegous rays 7. Dorsal 28, nine spinous. Pectoral 17. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal 11, three spinous. Caudal 17. The 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 liighest 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 Lacepedc, from the short notes and unfinished drawings of Conimerson, and has been since engraved in the fine ■work of Guinard, tab. 51, 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-caeruleus. Figure — About three-fourths the natural size of the Specimen. ^' -'^ 7 1 I :.;a us* 20. LABRUS AUREO-MACULATUS. Order, Thoracic. Native Naine, c3 2^ Cry (5^1 '^' iK-G i r a w a h . L. AUREO-MACULATUS. Body light brown, inclining to yellow, a white line vertically passing- from the back to the commencement of tiie anal fin : from this white division to the snout there are numerous black spots, those on the plates of the head surrounded by a circle of blue, and on the other side of the white division on the back there are three brilliant orange spots, diminishing towards the caudal fin, which, with the anal and dorsal fins, are variously spotted with black, and marked with a yellow band on their extremities. It is a beautiful species, and thence called in Ceylon the Spotted-parrot. Lateral line very visible, bow-shaped, convexing under the 16th ray of the dorsal fin, and thence extending in a slightly curved line to the sixth or seventh ray of the caudal fin. Branchiostegous rays b. Dorsr/Z 21, nine spinous. Pectoral IS. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal 15, three spinous. Caudal 15. The Tik-Girawah of the Cingalese is so rarely taken on the southern coast of Ceylon, although it delights in rocky situations, that it is but occasionally eaten by the natives, and at particular seasons is con- sidered unwholesome. It has been known to attain the length of eighteen inches. It belongs to the genus Julis of Cuvier, but is one of the section with the first ray of the dorsal fins short. Figure — The size of the Specimen. I 17. L1S5JARY ■"'""V-nSJTY ■.A LTSA r K i 21. TETRODON OCELLATUS. Order, Apodal. 'Native Name, O /'^©^'^J ^ *x) <5o . Jul-Potobarah. T. OCELLATUS. Body variously spotted ; a large black mark at the base of the dorsal fin, surrounded by stripes and dots extending- in regular eliptical forms toward the pectoral and caudal fins. The eye placed high and distant from the mouth ; small blue and pink stripes intermingled with spots on either side of the mouth and eyes. No ventral fin. Branchiostegous rays none. Dorsal 10. Pectoral 14. Anal 8. Caudal 9. The Potobarah species is very extensive on the southern coast of Ceylon. The native fishers seldom agree together as to the distin- guishing names of more than a very few of the commonest of the tribe to which they are most accustomed. From a supposed resem- blance of the color of the belly to that of the rind of the " Jul," a fruit known to Europeans by the name originally given to it by the Dutch, namely, " Wood Appel," anglice Wood Apple, when ripe, the native imagination, naturally a fertile one, has affixed to this variety of the Tetrodon family the designation of " Jul-Potobarah." It seldom exceeds five or six inches in length, and is not eaten, being considered poisonous. Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. «CZ LICaARY :■" : MA USA '^: :y. 22. PERCA ARGENTEA. Order, Thoracic. Native Name, do^(^^^-) Sepelawaii. P. ARGENTEA. Body silvery;, back bluish, graduating- tov\ards the lateral line, which is strongly marked. Fins pale yellow ; the caudal singularly marked with five black longitudinal stripes. The lower plate of the head marked with radii. The iris large, black, and brilliant. Branchiostegous rays 5. Dorsal 19, ten spinous. Pectoral 14. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal 13j three spinous. Caudal 16. The Sepelawah of the Cingalese inhabits the deep waters of the ocean, and is found on the shores of Ceylon at certain seasons, when driven into shallow water by larger fishes, of which it is the prey ; during such periods, the fishers and other inhabitants take consider- able quantities of the Sepelawah within the shoal water of the coral banks, under the walls of the Fort at Point de Galle, -with hats, hand- nets, baskets, &c. This fish rarely exceeds seven inches in length, and is excellent food. The native fishers can give no other reason for the name applied to it than that " it is called Sepelawah." Figure — The natural size of the Specimen. MCZ LI3f?A«Y L.- , :A USA 23. SCARUS QUINQUE-FASCIATUS. Order, Thoracic. O ,-=^=»<^ Panoo-Girawah. Native Name, C> ^G'i (^zh. qI Worm-Parrot. S. QUINQUE-FASCIATUS. Body dark piirj)le, approaching- to black, with five perpendicular hght stripes ; three touching- on the dorsal fin, the tliird also touches the anal fin, the other two near the caudal. The head beautifully vjtfiegated with pink, green, and yellow, interspersed vvith markings of black, somewhat representing a highly-colored map. Eye projecting, iris golden, surrounded by black, strongly marked on the upper part. Branchiostegous rays 3. DorsaZ 19, nine spinous. Pectoral \% Ventral Q, one spinous. Anal 13, one spinous. Caudal 15. The Panoo-Girawah of the Cingalese is one of that splendid class of fishes on the coast of Ceylon which the natives denominate Parrot. This fish has been known to attain the length of thirty inches ; its flesh is delicately white, firm, and wholesome. The Panoo-Girawah derives its name from a fancied resemblance of the vertical stripes of yellow and green on its body, to a species of Palm-worm. The Specimen, though small, is of the size of the most perfect Specimen the author could select. MCZ LI^TARY ]^\^ri<.^^r-^) !':\!VE?.SJTY O E. MA U9tk 24. SCARUS GEORGII. Order, Thoracic. } n Lena-Gikawaii. Native Name, ks/^^t, codt^ ^ ti ^(^ *^' SQUIRREL-rARROT. S. GEORGII. Body green, with three longitudinal bright red lines, between which, on the green parts, are various irregularly placed touches of red ; the form of each scale on the green portions is defined by an edging of blue. The dorsal and anal fins have each a stripe of red passing between their stripes of oreen, and each ray of the caudal fin is touched with red at its base, and terminates in a tinge of yellow, between the predominating green. Head irregularly marked with bright red ; sharply defined. Branchiostegous rays 4:. Dorsfi^ 21, eight spinous. Pectoral \b. Ventral 6. Anal 13, two spinous. Caudal 16. The Lena-Girawah of the Cingalese is the most splendid of the class of fishes denominated Parrot found on the shores of Ceylon. It inhabits rocky situations, and is very scarce on the southern coast. It seldom exceeds eighteen inches in length, and is not sought after as an article of food. It derives its Cingalese denomination from the three longitudinal stripes which distinguish the beautiful although very common Lena or Squirrel of the Cingalese : but is classically named after the present August and Royal Protector of the Arts and Sciences — whom God long preserve ! Figure — The size of the Specimen. ■ . :i';sJTY MA U^S* 25. CH^TODON TYRWHITTl Order, Tiiouacic. Native Name, <5'c^^v'i ^'^iJ i I 29. ANTHIAS CLARKII. Order, Tiiokacic. Native ISlame, O^V^/^^'^^. Pol-Kitchyah. A. CLARKII. Body dark purple, approaching- to black, divided by three white streaks ; the first curves from the front of the dorsal fin, near the eye, and terminates on the lower plate ; the second streak crosses the body from about the middle of the dorsal to the front spine of the anal fin ; the third streak curves inwards from the outer rays of the caudal fin. Part of the head, the body between the pectoral and ventral fins, and the caudal fin, are bright yellow, tinged with orange ; the dorsal and anal fins are purple. Mouth situated high ; the iris golden. Branchiostegous rays 2. Dorsal 25, ten spinous. Pectoral 18. Ventral 6, one spinous. Anal 15, two spinous. Caudal 16. The Pol-Kitchyah of the Cingalese is very scarce, few of the fishers in the neighbourhood of Galle having ever seen it. The name is derived from the beautiful Java Sparrow. It rarely exceeds four, or four and a half inches in length. It is a good, firm, and whole- some fish. Pol signifies Cocoa-nut ! ! ! — so much for native derivations. The Anthias Clarkii appears to differ from the Linnaan Perca Polymna, figured by Block, under the name of Anthias Polymna, t. 316, fig. 1, only by being figured from the living specimen; and is named after the engraver, Mr. John Clark, who has not only done ample justice to, but laid the author under very great obliga- tions to him for his able assistance in, the present work. MCZ LIBRARY C " :iA USA 30. GOMPHOSUS VmiDIS. Order, Thoracic 'Native Islame, .^(i^^i:>:^cfid^ Nil Talapat-Girawah, OR Grren Talapat-Paurot. G. viRiDis. Body dark gieeii. Snout elongated. The pectoral fin marked Avith a black streak ; the other fins of a paler green than the body. Eyes rather dim ; iris golden. Bra7ichiostegous rays 4. DorsaZ 21, eight spinous. Peclorcd 14:. Ventral 6. Anal 12, one spinous. Caudal 14. The Nil Talapat Girawah of the Cingalese is very scarce on the southern coast of Ceylon : it is found in rocky situations, but never sought after by the fishermen as an article of food. This fish is remarkable for the loss of its beautiful green color after exceeding the length of ten or twelve inches. It is considered by the native Cingalese that the dorsal fin of this fish resembles the young leaf of the Talapat tree, when spread. Figure — The size of the Specimen. I . --Si ^■^:r--^:l lt£ -■.v/,>r '*^4 -^ f : V