172 INDIAN FRESH-WATER FISHES. 



expected, and have frequently been accused of falling 

 from the clouds. 



Char. Dorsal rays 17 or 18 + 8 to 10. Anal 

 10 + 10. Scales 28 to 32. 



Colour varies, sometimes marked with dark bands. 



GENUS POLYACANTHUS. 



Char. Mouth small, and but little protractile. 

 Opercles without spines. 



1. Polyacanthus cupanus. 



Hab. Madras, near the coasts. 3 inches. 



Char. Dorsal fin rays. 11 to 1G spinous + 5 to 

 7 soft rays and 1G to 19 spinous +10 to 11 soft. 

 Scales 29 to 32. 



Colour, greenish, fins barred, with a dark spot at 

 the base of the caudal. Ventral fin with an elongated 

 ray, which is scarlet. 



GENUS OSPHBOMENUS. 



Char, Operculum without spines, but finely ser- 

 rated in the young. Ventral fins with the outer ray 

 very long, filiform, the remaining rays being small 

 and rudimentary. 



1. Osphromenus nobilis. 



Hab. A small fish found in the N. E. of Bengal. 



Char. Two white bands along the sides, and a third 

 along the base of the anal fin. Dorsal rays 5 or 6 

 + 7 or 8. Anal 5 + 23. Scales 28 to 30. 



