124 TELEOSTEI. PHYSOSTOMI. 



anal. Adipose dorsal low, the length of its base equalling that of 

 the rayed fin, and two thirds of the interspace between the two fins. 

 Pectoral scarcely extending halfway to the base of the ventral, 

 which latter does not reach the anal. Caudal deeply forked, its 

 upper lobe the longer. Caudal peduncle as high as long. Lateral 

 line absent. Air-bladder has a small rounded lobe on either 

 side of the body of the second vertebra, and all but a small portion 

 of its front surface enclosed in bone. Colour olive-brown, lightest 

 beneath. In some a dark line commences opposite the opercles 

 and soon subdivides one branch going to the centre of the base 

 of the caudal, the other to the base of the anal. 



Hob. The Himalayas ; found in the Jumna for some considerable 

 distance from the hills, also through Burma to Moulmein. This 

 fish does not appear to exceed 5 inches in length. When captured 

 it bites most viciously, and lives for some time after its removal 

 from the water. 



10. Genus SACCOBRANCHUS, Cuvier and Valenciennes. 

 Syn. Heteropneustes, Miiller. 



Branchiostegals seven. Gill-openings wide, the membranes not 

 being confluent with the skin of the isthmus, and separated by a 

 deep notch. Gill-cavity having an accessory posterior sac, which 

 extends backwards on either side of the neural spines amongst the 

 muscles of the abdominal and part of the caudal region. Head 

 depressed, covered with very thin skin ; mouth transverse. Eyes 

 with a free circular margin. Barbels eight. Teeth present in the 

 jaws and on the vomer. Dorsal fin short and spineless ; ventral 

 with six rays situated under the dorsal. Anal long and confluent 

 with the caudal or separated from it by a notch. Air-bladder 

 placed transversely across the bodies of the anterior vertebra), 

 where it is enclosed by bone ; two ducts pass upwards, one from 

 either side of the air-vessel, unite, and open into the inferior 

 surface of the pharynx. 



Geographical Distribution. Fresh waters of India, Ceylon, and 

 Burma, extending to Cochin China, but not found in the Malay 

 Archipelago. Fishes of this genus can live long after their 

 removal from the water. 



Uses. Considered exceedingly wholesome and invigorating by the 

 natives of India, but in some places deemed by the Brahmins to be 

 impure. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



Anal fin united to the caudal D. 8, A. 70. 



Eyes small 1. S. microps, p. 125. 



Anal fin separated' from the caudal by ft notch. 



D. 6-8, A. GO-79 , , 2. S.fossilis, p. 125. 



