WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. 



species, " and a very pretty quarrel upon the merits. It is not 

 common. 



The " Snake-headed" Murrells are the same here as in the 

 Deccan. These fish, indeed, vary little throughout India, as 

 might he expected from their power of passing overland. They 

 are exclusively freshwater fishes. 



The next family, Labyrinlhici, includes the "climbing perch," 

 which I have not got here, but it may reasonably be looked for. 

 Dr. Day's account of the dangers of this fish, and the remedy, is 

 sufficiently original to be well worth transcribing. " Accidents are 

 constantly occurring, due to native fishermen killing these fishes 

 * * by a bite. While the fish is in the fisherman's mouth for this 

 humane purpose (as it is covered by a slimy, slippery secretiou) 

 it occasionally slips into his throat, then owing to its spiny 

 character, it cannot be withdrawn without extensive laceration. 

 ***** should the fish be still alive, cut off tho projecting or 

 caudal portion, causing it to die of haemorrhage * * * * the 

 decay of the animal is most rapid;" and when it is complete, the 

 extraction of course is easy ; but on the whole I had rather some one 

 else bit my perches for me. 



The spines of an allied genus ( Poly acanthus) " inflict a most 

 severe burning pain which lasts for two or three hours" (Jerdon) # 

 I have not got it here ; but it should be here. Another relative is the 

 Gourami (Osphromenus olfax), which I believe has been put into 

 Vehar lake. Whether any specimens have been taken out, I have 

 not heard. It is a Chinese and Malay fish, naturalized in different 

 places all round the world, and said to be very good eating, which 

 reputation, and the family character of living with little water, or 

 little change of the same water, have been the cause and means of 

 its travels. I think it was Sir William Denison who introduced it 

 into Madras, where it has since been chiefly looked after by Mr. 

 Thomas. 



Passing over one small family, the next worth noticing are the 

 Labridce, or Wrasses, which are represented in British seas. They 

 are, with few exceptions small fish, haunting weedy rocks or coral 

 reefs, exclusively marine, and remarkable for their bright colours, 

 which vary in the individuals of several species, and in some appear 

 to indicate sex, a very rare case amongst fishes. They could not be 

 passed over, but I have not found any here that require special 

 notice. None are of any importance as food, and our dull inshore 

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