148 SPOLTA ZEYLANICA. 



same kind encysted ; this also writlied inside its envelope. Other 

 fry, which had died previously and had been preserved, were then 

 examined and found to be similarly infected. 



The body of the parasitic worm is shortly segmented, and the 

 elongate head or scoiex has a groove along each side and a terminal 

 exserted sucker or rostellum. The integument contains numerous 

 scattered oval calcareous corpuscles. Larval cestodes which are 

 found in young fishes usually achieve maturity in the intestine of 

 lish-eating birds. 



On April 19 a vigorous young lula was caught and measured. It 

 had distinctly grown both in bulk and in length. The eyes reflected 

 a delicate red flush from the lens ; iris pale golden ; a slight reddish 

 tinge was still apparent along the sides of the caudal region ; the 

 definite markings had commenced to appear as about nine sho,rt 

 black vertical demi-stripes on either side of the dorsal fin. It was 

 very strong, active, and erect, not easily put on one side. The total 

 length was 41-5 mm. ; body length (excluding the tail fin) 34-5 mm. 

 At this time the aquarium contained, besides the protozoa named 

 above, some Rotifers and some Naiid worms. 



Two dead lulu removed from the aquarium on May 21 and 22 

 measured 43 and 40 mm. respectively. Another in full vigour, with 

 the definitive body- markings well indicated, was taken from the 

 aquarium on June 1 ; it measured no more than 38 mm. in total 

 length ; body length (excluding tail fin) 32 mm. ; diameter across the 

 branchial region 6-5 mm., across the projecting eyes 7 mm. At 

 first I missed the red flush of the eyes which is so characteristic of 

 young lulu, particularly after they have attained a length of 4 or 5 

 inches, but upon placing the specimen in dilute alcohol the red 

 colour developed. On July 8 seven of the healthy young fishes 

 were caught, measured, and returned to the tank ; their total lengths 

 (including the tail fin) were 42'5, 44, 44*5, 45. 46, 47. and 48 mm. 



Another sample of lula fry of the same age, or rather younger than 

 those taken in February, was brought from Hanwella on May 22. 

 They measured 30 to 31 mm. in length, and showed the same sub- 

 translucent reddish or golden red colour throughout when seen from 

 above. The sides of the body were of a pure roseate hue, the upper- 

 most dorsal region being darkened in varying degree according to 

 circumstances by the presence of scattered chromatophores capable 

 of expansion and contraction, producing a more or less smoky 

 appearance. 



The occurrence of this second brood indicates an extended period 

 of spawning during the first few months of the year, both before and 

 after the rains. The first brood was taken towards the end of a 

 period of drought, the second after heavy floods. 



The predaceous habits of the adult lula, which seem to debar it 

 from association with other fishes in stock ponds, do not apply in 

 the same degree to the fry, nor to the adolescent stages up to a 



