200 INDIAN FRESH-WATER FISHES. 



proper courses, in order to irrigate the fields of rice 

 and other crops. 



Here the young fish thrive splendidly, but in each 

 field where the water runs off, these traps are fixed. 

 In consequence, hardly any of the fry can possibly 

 ever reach the river again ! 



I need not further pursue this subject, as it is being 

 investigated and reported upon by Dr. Day, Inspector 

 General of Fisheries. 



The Cyprinidse are very prolific ; they deposit 

 a great number of eggs, apparently at intervals during 

 the rainy season. The Siluridae deposit fewer eggs, 

 and of a large size ; in some species of the genus Arius, 

 the male fish is said to carry the eggs about in 

 his mouth until they are hatched. 



The Ophiocephalidse are said to pair, living 

 together in holes ; the young remain with them a 

 certain time in a shoal, being afterwards driven 

 away by their parents to fish for themselves, or, if 

 not inclined to be off quickly, are eaten up and 

 disposed of by the affectionate old couple. 



Many of the Indian species are unable to live 

 entirely under the surface of the water, but have 

 to come to the top every now and then to take in 

 a supply of air. The Labyrinthici and the Ophioce- 

 phalidaB have an accessory chamber connected with 

 the gills which enables them to breath the pure air. 

 Thus they are able to live for days without water, or 

 with only a little damp grass or mud. They have to 

 pay however for this advantage, for if they are kept 



