CCClll 



.m-?. Dnrj/klMys Bhekeri, Day. D. 11 -45, Rings 20 + 23. Jfalabar, 

 ascending rivers. 



Order—PLECTO GNA Till. 



Fishes with the honos of the liead completely ossified, whilst those in the 

 remainder of the body are incompletely so: vcrlebr.T few. Gill- 

 openings narrow, situated in front of the pectoral fins : gills pectinate. 

 Head generally large. Mouth narrow : (he hones of the upper jaw 

 mostly united, sometimes produced into the form of a beak. Tecili 

 may he distinct in the jaws, or absent. There may be a single soft 

 dorsal appertaining to the caudal portion of the vcrtcbr.al column and 

 situated ojiposite the an.il : in some a rudimentary spinous dorsal is 

 also present : ventrals, when existing, being in the form of spines. 

 Skin smooth, with rough scales, or ossified in the form of plates or 

 spines. Air-vessel destitute of a pneumatic duct. 



Family— Gymnodontid;e. 



Bones of npilov nnd lower jaw form a teak, haviiif; a cMtting eilge, and covered 

 with a layer of ivovy-lilte sulislancc, in whicli a median suture may be present 

 or absent. A soft dorsal, caudal, and anal exist, but no spinous dorsal : pectorals 

 present : ventrals absent. 



Genm — XenoPTEUUH, Bibioii. 



Chonerinus, Blceker. 



Jaws divided by a median sufnre. Nonlrih fnnnel-ahaped, having 

 frivged wargiiui. Dorsal and anal fins long. Body more or less covered, 

 ivitfi fiie dermal spines having a double or treble roof. They are able to 

 inflate their bodies with air, and float on the water, abdomen uppermost. 



:W.l. Xenopfen/s naril>is_ mchanhon. D. 25-21'., A. 23-2.5. Of a 

 yellow colour. Found throughout the Burmese rivers far above tidal 

 influence. It attains a considerable size, and is used as food. 



Gen)is — Tetrodon, Linn. 



Back broad or compressed into a ridge. Jaws divided by a median 

 suture. When a conspicuous nasal organ exists, there may he two on 

 cither side in a papilla (Telraodon, Bleeker) : or only a single tubular 

 Has'il opening on either side (Orayracion, Bleeker) : or an imperforate 

 nasal cavity roith a fringed margin (body spiny) (Chelonodon, Miillery: 

 or a simple round nasal cavity [body smooth) ( Monotretus, Bib.) ; or 

 two imperforate nasal tentacles on either .lide (Arothron, Rliill.) : 

 or if invisible, and back is cotnpressed into a keel ( Anosmins, Peters). 

 Dorsal and anal fins short. Body wholly or partially covered by fine 

 dermal spines, which, however, may be entirely absent. There may be a 

 more or less distinct fold along the lower part of the tail (if nasal organs 

 are very distinct) (Gaslrophj/sns, IVIiillerJ : if there is no such fold (but 

 distinct nasal organs and spiny body) (Chcilichthys, Miiller^ : or should the 

 fold be absent and the skin smooth (Liosaccus, Glinther). 



,?.9^. Tetrodon cutcntia, Ilam. Bueh. Teepah-benki, Ooriah. A 

 simple round nas.al cavity. Body smooth. Brownish lines forming a 

 net-work ou the sides of the body, whilst a large black ocellus margined 



