1 68 HOURS WITH NATU&S. 



titpunti (Barbus tetraurpagus, McClelt) and its afiied 

 species are very abundant in rivers, tanks, jkeel^ and 

 water-courses in every part of India. They belong to the 

 carp family, and enter largely into the diet of the poorer 

 classes of the population. They are rather delicate fish 

 and are generally preyed upon by the comparatively 

 larger kind. 



So, after all, the larger magurs have not agreed with 

 the rest of the fishes, and are therefore kept in a separate 

 tub with a number of singhees / The latter are very 

 gregarious, and look like a thick black mass, as they lie 

 hugging the bottom of the vessel. The Magur (Clarius 

 m&gur, Ham. Buck.) and the Singhee (Saccofiranchus 

 fossilis, Day) belong to the scaleless family of Indian fishes 

 having a smooth skin destitute of scales. They are found 

 in ponds and ditches, and prefer muddy to clear water. 

 Owing to the peculiar construction of their respiratory 

 apparatus, they are enabled to carry on respiration for 

 hours, and even days, without being in water. But we 

 must observe it for ourselves, and ascertain how long 

 they can remain alive, out of water or buried in the mud. 



FINIS. 



