í , pi:
PISCES TH O RA C IC I. SPARUS.
N o . C I I .
S p arus cauda suh-lunata; spinis ventralibus duabus, analibus septem; corpore lafo-ovale. micro-
lepidoto, lineolis punctisque cyaneis.
T h e S pa r o s w i th a su b - lu n a te t a i l ; tw o v e n t r a l sp in e s , anti s e v e n a n a l ; a b ro ad o v a l
b o d y w i th sm a ll scales , an d sho rt a zu re lin e s an d dots.
Sparus spinus Linn. S .fif. p . 47 1?
Called b y the Natives W orahvvah.
B . 5, D . 23. P. 17. V. T. A. u i. C. 20.
T h e body oval, compressed, .squamous ; scales very small, imbncate, tenacious.
The b „ d small, oval, compressed, without scales, the front depressed. The jaws projecting, form when shut a
short rostrum; the mouth very small, roundish; no lips. Jaws extractile, of equal length; teeth equal,
numerous, small, sharp. The tongue thick, smooth, immoveable. Palate narrow, smooth. Eyes high, large,
orbicular; the anterior edge of the orbit somewhat rough. Nostrils double, distant from the eye and from
each other, the hinder largest and oval. The opercula consist of three laminas, smooth, not seriated; the
branchial membrane covered; the aperture very small.
T he tnmk. The back, breast, and belly arched; the sides compressed; the tail small, roundish. Thelateral
line hardly discernible, curved, supreme. The anus nearer the head than the tail.
The/?ii. The dorsal occupies the whole of the back, the spinous rays arched, the posterior part of the fin
round pointed; the anal is of the same form, but has seven spinous rays ; the pectoral very low, the length of
the head, acuminate above; the ventral short, remarkable for having two spinous rays, one on each side ; the
caudal long, and lunate.
The colour. T he upper part of the head and lower opercula brown, with an obscure mixture of green, and
powdered with pale blue dots, the cheeks of a sulphur yellow. The back and sides a dark brown, with blue
dots, oval spots, and short lines, but towards the belly, with parallel fillets blue, and reddish brown, alternately;
the breast slightly tinged of a dark orange. The pectoral fins are of a light colour, all the others dark, streaked
here and tliere with orange.
Length, from the rostrum to the caudal fin - - - - - 9 o
caudal fin - - - - - - - - - 2 6
Greatest b r e a d t h 4 ®
N o . cm.
Sparus cauda sublunata ; corpore lato-ovale, alepidoto, cute coriaceo tecto; spinis pinna analis
septem, pinna ventralis duabus: aculeo parvo recumhente ante pinnam dorsalem.
T h e Sp aru s with a sub-lunate tail ; a broad oval body, without scales, and covered with
a coriaceous skin. Seven spines in the anal fin, and two in the ventral : a recumbent
small spine before the dorsal.
Called also b y the Natives W o r a h w a h .
'3 » 7
B . V . D . 23. Z . 17. V. 5 . A. l b . C. 20.
ing so nearly with the one last described, it will be sufficient merely T his species to mention the circumstances,
in which they differ.
The hody is covered with a coriaceous skin, without any visible scales. The head is more declivous and
sharp, resembling that of a Balistes. There is a recumbent spine pointing forwards, in front of the dorsal fin ;
and in both dorsal and anal fins, the skin on each side forms a groove for the roots of the ossicles.
T he colour of the breast and belly a dull white, all the rest almost black, marbled with dusky brown, and
dull yellowish streaks.
Lengtb, including the caudal fin, seven inches.
N o . C IV .
S p a ru s capite aculeato, oculis permagnis; corpore ovato compresso, squamis largis, pectinatis,
tecto; radii octo in pinna ventrali, spina anales quatuor; spiculis quinque ad latera cauda
bifida supra sublerque.
T h e Sp-arus with a prickly liead, and very large e y e s ; an ovate body, covered with large
pectinated sc ale s; eight rays in the ventral fin , aud four spines in the a n a l; the tail
bifid, and on each edge, above and below, are five reflex spiculi.
Called b y the Natives S u l l a n e r o o K u n t e e .
11 _L
B . vi i . D . 25. Z. 15. V. S. A. 16. C. 20.
Th e hody ovate, compressed; scales large, pectinated.
The head large, the crown striate and channeled ; tlie cheeks striate, or covered with pectinated scales, and
there is a pectinate semi-circle under the orbit. The moutli very wide; jaws long, extractile, unequal, the
under one longest, vvith a few spiculi at the extremity. The teeth very small. The eyes uncommonly large,
orbicular, stained deep red on the upper part. Nostrils round, small, close together, in a dent between the
orbit and the nose. Tongue sharp-pointed. Opercula serrate, and each lamina has one or two spiculi. The
branchial membrane half exposed.
The trunk. The back gently ardiecl from the crown to the end of the dorsal fin, where the tail becomes
small and roundish, but again exixmding to receive the fin, is armed on each edge with small, reverted, spiculi.