1921.] S. L. HORA : Fish of Manipur. 197 



6J — 7^ times in the total length including the caudal fin. The 

 eyes are minute and are situated in the anterior half of the 

 head. The suborbital spine is bifid, the posterior prong being 

 longer and stronger. The mouth, which is situated on the 

 ventral surface, is semicircular and is provided with thick lips. 

 The vent is placed on a slightly raised papilla and is provided 

 with thick lips, which are not continuous posteriorly. It is 

 situated in the beginning of the posterior third of the distance 

 between the base of the caudal fin and the eye. There are two 

 nostrils on each side lying close together but separated by a val- 

 vular flap. The anterior nostril is oval while the posterior is 

 rounded. Barbels. — There are eight barbels, two rostral pairs, 

 one maxillary pair and one pair mandibular. The bases of the 

 mandibular barbels are broadened outwards to meet those of the 

 maxillary barbels and thus a membranous flap stretches between 

 the bases of the mandibular and the maxillary barbels. In some 

 individuals the membranes are wanting and all the barbels are 

 free. Under the lens the barbels show spiny projections all over 

 their surface. Fins. — The dorsal fin is almost as high as the 

 depth of the body below it ; its origin is considerably behind the 

 ventrals and is much nearer to the base of the caudal fin than to 

 the end of the snout. The origin of the ventral is equidistant 

 from the end of the snout and the base of the caudal fin. The 

 free posterior border of the caudal fin is concave. Scales. — The 

 scales are minute and there are about 34 rows in an oblique line 

 between the base of the dorsal and that of the ventral fins. 



The specimens from the Loktak Lake have a characteristic 

 colouration. They are pale olivaceous, more or less densely 

 speckled with black There is a series of fine dark spots running 

 along each side. On the dorsal surface and the sides of the head 

 the dark specks are more closely aggregated The fins are 

 whitish with numerous dark transverse bars on their rays ; 

 narrow, irregular pale bars are also to be seen on the dorsal surface. 

 There is also a dark streak from the eye to the snout. 



The specimens from other lakes and streams in the valley are 

 of a uniform pale colour, with short bars across the back and a 

 row of fine spots along the sides. The fins are banded or speckled 

 with black dots. 



Type-specimen. — F 9904/1. Zoological Survey of India (Ind. 

 Mus.). 



Lepidocephalichthys irrorata is widely distributed in the lakes 

 and streams of the Manipur Valley. 



Acanthophthalmus pangia (Ham. Buch.). 



1S89. Acaiitlwphthalmns paiigia, Day, op. cit., p. 222. 

 1889. Acanthoplttlialmus pangia, Vinciguerra, op. cit., p. 347. 

 1916. Acanthophthalmus pangia, Weber and Beaufort, op. cit., Ill, p. 

 31- 

 In describing Barilius barila I referred at some length to an 

 abnormal specimen in which the ventrals were totally absent and it 



