ophiocephalim:. 177 



3. Ophiocephalus stewartii. 

 Hab. Assam. 10 inches. 



Char. Scales 50. Dorsal rays 39-40. Anal 27. 



4. Ophiocephalus striatus. 



Hab. Throughout India. 2 or 3 feet. 



This fish is considered the best for eating of the 

 genus, and affords good sport, and may be taken by 

 spinning : the most killing way, however, is to put 

 down night-lines baited with frogs; care must be 

 taken or the frogs will be found in the morning, each 

 seated safely on a weed or stone clear out of the 

 water. 



Colour dark grey above, with dark bands down the 

 body. 



Char. Scales 51 to 57. Dorsal rays 37 to 45. 

 Anal 22 to 27. 



5. Ophiocephalus barca. 

 Hab. Bengal. 3 feet. 



An ugly fish, living mostly in holes burrowed in 

 the banks of rivers; considered very good eating. 



Colours dark green, sides yellow, body covered 

 thickly with irregular black spots, with a few red 

 ones. 



Char. Scales 62. Dorsal rays 50 to 52. Anal 35 

 to 36. 



6. Ophiocephalus marulius. " The Murrel." 

 Hab. Throughout India. 3 or 4 feet. 



Colours vary, but there is always an eye-like spot 

 on the caudal fin, in adult specimens, with about five 



N 



