OPHICEPHALUS. OPIIICEPHALUS. 



Generic Character. 



Caput squamis difformibus 



tectum. 



Corpus elongatum. 



Head coated \vith dissimilar 



scales. 

 Body elongated. 



PUNCTATED OPIIICEPHALUS. 



Ophicephalus Punctatus. 0. nigricans, subtus pallidior, capitc 



poroso, corpore nigro-punctulato. 

 Dusky Ophicephalus, paler beneath, with the head pierced by 



pores, and the body speckled with black points. 

 Ophicephalus punctatus. Block, t. 358. 



JLrfENGTH about ten inches: dorsal fin com* 

 mencing at no great distance from the head, and 

 continued nearly to the tail: it is of moderate 

 breadth, and of a dusky colour spotted with black; 

 anal fin of similar shape and colour : tail rounded : 

 pectoral fins rounded, and of moderate size : ventral 

 smaller: scales rather large; those on the head 

 dissimilar, viz. on the upper part angular, as in 

 snakes : on the sides ovate or rounded : lateral line 

 nearly strait. Native of India, inhabiting rivers 

 and lakes, and is considered as a delicate and whole- 

 some food. 



v. iv. p. IT. 34 



