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Show 1868.] SURGEON F. DAY ON NEW FISHES FROM MADRAS. 193 Mysore, where they were obtained by Major Puckle of the Mysore Commission. The first is a small species, which appears to be rare at Madras, and of which I have only succeeded in obtaining two specimens, both of nearly the same size. It is a percoid fish, but one which I have been unable to identify with any of the acknowledged genera. Its appearance is that of a small Serranus, having teeth in the jaws and palate, and also canines, whilst the lower margin of the praeoperculum is smooth; but it not only has a large serrated spine at the angle of the praeoperculum, but the ventral spine is likewise serrated internally. The genus Priacanthus contains fishes with a spine, occasionally serrated, in the same situation ; but it has no enlarged teeth in its jaws, and the ventral spine is smooth internally (in some species rugose externally), and only six branchiostegals. I therefore propose to create a new genus for its reception, and, from its affinity, to designate it Genus PRIACANTHICHTHYS. Seven branchiostegals. Teeth villiform, with an external enlarged row ; canines in both jaws. Teeth on palatine bones. Tongue smooth. One dorsal with eleven spines, anal with three. Ventral with one serrated spine and five branched rays. Operculum with strong spines. Praeoperculum serrated in its vertical limb, with a long serrated spine at its angle. Praeorbital narrow and entire. Scales small, ctenoid. Lower jaw with a rather prominent chin. Eyes large. PRIACANTHICHTHYS MADERASPATENSIS, sp. nov. B.vii. D. 11/12. P. 17. V. 1/5. A. 3/7. C. 15. L. 1. 70. L. r. upwards of 100. Length of specimens from 1-^y to I fa inch. Length of head f, of pectoral £, of caudal £, of base of dorsal spines f, of base of dorsal rays %, of base of anal § of the total length. Height of head £, of body £, of dorsal spines §, of dorsal rays $, of ventral £, of anal spines nearly |, of anal rays fa of the total length. Eyes. Diameter £ of length of head, | of a diameter from end of snout, f of a diameter apart. Appearance that of a Serranus, except in the praeopercular aud ventral spines. Lower jaw the longest, the posterior extremity of the maxilla extends to beneath the posterior third of the orbit. Praeoperculum with its vertical limb evenly serrated, and having a very strong spine at its angle directed backwards and extending almost to the base of the pectoral fin, its upper edge is serrated in its whole extent; lower limb of praeoperculum smooth. Praeorbital very narrow and entire. Operculum with one strong central spine, and a small one above and another below it. Tongue smooth. Some pores on inferior surface of lower jaw. PROC. ZOOL. S O C - 1868, No. XIII. |