112 INDIAN FRESH-WATER FISHES. 



GENUS LEPIDOCEPHALICHTHYS. 



Char. Barbels eight. A double erectile spine 

 beneath each eye. Caudal fin square cut. Dorsal 

 fin nearly opposite the ventrals. The inner 

 ray of the pectoral fin, in the adult male, is often 

 modified into a flat spine, this is made use of to assist 

 the fish in diving down into the mud, though this is 

 probably not the primary object of this formation. 



1. Lepidocephalichthys thermalis. 

 Hab. Southern India. 



Char. Origin of the dorsal fin in advance of the 

 ventrals. 



Colour sandy, with irregular blotches along the 

 lateral line, and others on the back. Caudal fin 

 banded. 



2. Lepidocephalichthys balgara. 

 Hab. India generally. 



Char. Dorsal fin not in advance of the ventrals. 

 Back and sides irregularly mottled with brown. 



GENUS BOTIA. 

 Char. Barbels six, or eight. A double erectile 

 spine beneath each eye. Caudal fin forked. 

 Dorsal fin in advance of the ventrals. 



1. Botia dario. 

 Hab. Northern India. 

 Char. Barbels 8. Dorsal rays 13. 

 Seven or eight broad brown bands, passing obliquely 

 across the body ; ground colour yellow or white. 



