30. 



GOMPHOSUS VmiDIS. 



Order, Thoracic 

 'Native Islame, .^(i^^i:>:^cfid^ 



Nil Talapat-Girawah, 



OR 



Grren Talapat-Paurot. 



G. viRiDis. Body dark gieeii. Snout elongated. The pectoral fin 

 marked Avith a black streak ; the other fins of a paler green than the body. 

 Eyes rather dim ; iris golden. 



Bra7ichiostegous rays 4. DorsaZ 21, eight spinous. Peclorcd 14:. Ventral 6. 

 Anal 12, one spinous. Caudal 14. 



The Nil Talapat Girawah of the Cingalese is very scarce on the 

 southern coast of Ceylon : it is found in rocky situations, but never 

 sought after by the fishermen as an article of food. 



This fish is remarkable for the loss of its beautiful green color after 

 exceeding the length of ten or twelve inches. It is considered by 

 the native Cingalese that the dorsal fin of this fish resembles the 

 young leaf of the Talapat tree, when spread. 



Figure — The size of the Specimen. 



