G OUR AMI. 



.17 



This genus is represented chiefly in the East Indian 

 Archipelago ; seven species are known ; some of them have 

 been domesticated on account of the beauty of their colours, 

 and several varieties have been produced. One of them is to 

 be mentioned, as, under the name of " Paradise-fish," it has 

 been introduced into the aquaria of Europe, where it readily 

 breeds. It was known already to Lacepede, and has been 

 mentioned since his time in all ichthyological works as 

 Macropus viridi-auratus. In adult males some of the rays, 

 and especially the caudal lobes, are much prolonged. 



OsPHROMENUS. — Body compressed, more or less elevated ; 

 operculum without spine or serrature. Small fixed teeth in the 

 jaws, none on the palate. Dorsal spines in small or moderate 

 number ; anal spines in moderate or great number ; ventral fins 

 Avitli the outer ray very long, filiform. Lateral line not inter- 

 rupted or absent. 



To this genus belongs the celebrated " Gourami " (Osphro- 

 menics olfcuc), reputed to be one of the best flavoured Fresh- 



236. — Ospliro menus olfax. 



water -fishes in the East-Indian Archipelago. Its original 

 home is Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and several other islands ; 

 but thence it has been transported to, and acclimatised in, 

 Penang, Malacca, Mauritius, and even Cayenne. Being an 

 almost omnivorous fish and tenacious of life, it seems to 

 recommend itself particularly for acclimatisation in other 



