cclvii 



the course of large rivers in India and Burma, except Southern and 

 Western Madras. 



32. Trichogaster lalius, Ham. Buch. Kung-gee, Panj. B. vi. D. ', 



A. -fg. Banded, owing- to every scale being- half light-blue and half 

 scarlet ; fins spotted with red. Panjab and Lower Bengal, in the Jumna 

 and Ganges. 



33. Trichogasfer chuna, Ham. Buch. B. vi. D. ! f, A. j-f . Caudal 

 fin slightly emarginate. A broad black lateral band. A small species 

 found near Calcutta. 



Family OPHIOCEPHALID^ BleeJcer. 



Labyrintliici, pt., Cuv. 



Branchiostegala five: pseud obranchiae absent. Gills four. Body elongated, sub- 

 cylindrical anteriorly, head depressed, and superiorly covered by shield-like 

 scales. Eyes lateral. Gill-openings wide, the membranes of the two sides being 

 connected beneath the isthmus. A cavity exists, which is above and accessory 

 to the true gill-cavity for the purpose of retaining or receiving air, a super- 

 branchial organ is not developed, but some thin bony laminae are present, Villi 

 form teeth on jaws, vomer, and palate, sometimes with conical ones intermingled. 

 One long spineless dorsal, and a similarly constructed, though shorter, anal. 

 Ventrals thoracic (Ophiocephalus) or absent (Channa) ; when present consisting 

 of six rays, the outer of which is unbranched and articulated at its extremity. 

 Scales of large, moderate, or small size. Lateral line abruptly curved or almost 

 interrupted. Air-vessel present. Pyloric appendages few. 



Genus OPHIOCEPHALUS, Block. 



As defined in the family. Ventral fins present. Pyloric appendages 

 two. 



34* Ophiocephalus marulius, Ham. Buch. Kub-rah,Sawl, and Dowlah, 

 Panj. : Choaree verarl and Cooravoo } Mai. : Phool-verarl, Tarn. : Phool- 

 murlj Hind.: Hoovina-murl, Can. : Poola chapa 3 Tel. : Nga-yan-dyne, Burm. 



B. v. D. 49-55, A. 33-36, L. 1. 59-64. Orange, with vertical bands and 

 white spots. Found throughout the fresh-waters, especially the larger 

 rivers of India and Burma, attaining as much as 4 feet in length. 



35. Ophiocephalus barca, Ham. Buch. Bora and Burra chang, 

 Butan. B. v. D. 50-52, A. 35-36, L. 1. 62. Dark violet, dotted all 

 over with black. Calcutta, North-Eastern Bengal, and Butan, attaining 

 3 feet in length. 



36. Ophiocephalus diplogramme, Day. Kuch-hi } Mai. and Canarese. 

 D. 43, A. 27, L. 1. 112. Two horizontal black lateral bands. Western 

 Coast of India, attaining a foot and a half in length. 



37. Ophiocephalus striatus, Lacep: Chota Sawl and Carrodah, Panj. : 

 Char-koor, Sind : Hurl and Morrul, Hind. : Verarl and IVrahl, Mai. : 

 Verarlu and Curroopoo verarl, Tamil : Sowarah, Tel. : Sola, Ooriah : 

 Koochinda murl y Can. : Lolla, Sing. : Nga-yan or Nga-yan-pa-nan, Burm. 

 B. v. D. 37-43, A 22-26, L. 1. 51-57. Grey above, whitish beneath, 

 striated with black. Found throughout the fresh, preferring the stagnant, 

 waters of the plains of India and Burma, attaining 3 feet or more 

 in length. 



38. Ophiocephalus Stewartii, Playfair. Brownish black above,lighter 

 below, some black spots on the body. B. v. D. 39-40, A. 27, L, 1. 50. 

 Assam, attaining at least 10 inches in length. 



