258 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vor. Sul, 
Though I have not seen the form with 4 barbels, it seems 
likely that these three forms—the common form destitute of 
barbels, the Madras one recorded in this paper with a pair of 
maxillary barbels, and the kind from the Khasi Hills with 4 
barbels—represent phases of a very variable species which accord- 
ing to time or locality may possess four, two or no barbels. 
Habitat and Habits.—B. sophore is one of the commonest species 
in Madras, occurring in abundance in the shallows of ponds and 
rivers. In the Cooum it is found within tidal influence in brackish 
water. It breeds during the cold weather; Day records finding 
1850 mature eggs in a female at Madras in January.' The young, 
which are common in November and December, closely resemble 
the adult, except in their paired fins, which are comparatively long ; 
the pectorals reach the ventrals and the latter the origin of the 
anal fin. The lateral scarlet band, frequently seen in the adult, is 
often present in the young also. 
Uses.—A small species, reaching a maximum length of about 
5 inches, not much in demand as food. Its flesh is bitter and is 
supposed to be medicinal. It is a valuable mosquito larvicide. 
Barbus filamentosus (C. & V.) 
Tamil—Sevali (red tail) or Retha kendat. 
It is very doubtful if the present species is really distinct from 
B. mahecola (C. & V.).2. Both forms, those with a pair of minute 
maxillary barbels (B. mahecola) and those without them (B. fila- 
mentosus), occur in Madras and are identical in all other charactets. 
This handsome fish frequents streams in small shoals. 
Barbus mahecola (C. & V.) 
Occurs in a few tanks in the neighbourhood of Madras, 
Barbus vittatus (Day). 
Tamil—Sinna kulla kendav. 
Colour.—In Madras examples there are only three characteris- 
tic black spots, one on the dorsal fin, another at the root of the 
caudal and a third in front of the anal fin; the last though fairiy 
constant appears to be caused by feecal matter. 
‘“Inthe immature the colours vary: when the fish is about 8, roths of an 
inch long, a vertical stripe begins to show itself in the posterior third of the dorsal 
fin, the summit of which also becomes edged with black, whilst there are some 
irregular orange markings, in very young specimens the line of- demarcation 
between the green of the back and the silvery abdomen appears like a white band 
running from the eye to the middle of the tail.’ (Day). 

1 Day, Fishes of India, p. 579. 
2 Day, Fishes of India, p.550. Day combines the two species in his Fishes 
of Malabar, Pp: 215. 
8 Fishes of Malabar, p. 215; Fishes of India, p. §82; Fauna brit. Ind., 
D336: 
