LABYRINTHICI. 171 



FAMILY LABYRINTHICI. (Giintli. Cat. vol. iii.) 



Char. Head covered with scales, teeth small. Gill 

 opening rather narrow. A superbranchial organ, 

 composed of thin laminae, situated in a cavity above 

 the gills. The fishes of this family are remarkable 

 for the length of time they can exist out of the 

 water. The peculiar apparatus with which their 

 gills are provided, seems to enable them to breathe 

 as well, or better, out of the water as in it. 



GENUS ANABAS. 



Char. Prseorbital and opercles serrated. Lateral 

 line interrupted. 



1. Anabas scandens. 



Hab. India generally, near the coast. 6 inches. 



This fish is most remarkable for its powers of living 

 in the air. The fishermen keep them for five or six 

 days in an earthen pot or covered basket. If in a 

 basket, it is necessary to keep it securely covered, as 

 they can climb up the sides and escape with the 

 greatest ease. They can travel a long distance on 

 land, on occasions when the water they are living in 

 becomes stagnant or dried up, and they can also, in 

 common with several other Indian fishes, remain in a 

 semi-torpid condition under the mud for months 

 together. Hence they are often found after a heavy 

 storm in places where they would the least be 



