322 



rior border of praeoperculum and about 3 rows on operculum. 

 Lateral line curving one scale downward behind the I I th 13*11 

 perforated scale. Dorsal beginning behind origin of pectorals and 

 ending somewhat behind anal, its origin separated by 13 -14 

 scales from tip of snout. Origin of anal about below Qth nth 

 dorsal ray. Pectorals somewhat more or less than postorbital 

 part of head. Ventrals originating somewhat before origin of 

 dorsal, about half as long as pectorals. Colour brownish, darker 

 above, lighter below, with traces of darker crossbars, more 

 conspicuous in young specimens and often quite obsolete in 

 adult ones. In young specimens there are often some black 

 spots scattered over the body. Dorsal, anal and caudal with 

 a white margin, the rest of the fins uniformly dark bluish 

 black or lighter, striped with black. Ventrals hyaline, with a 

 dusky streak. Pectorals black at the base, the black area 

 bordered behind by a white band. Generally this band is followed 

 by other ones distally, the bands being about their breadth 

 apart and giving to the fin a striped appearance. Length 

 over 300 mm. 



Nom. in dig. : Gabus (Malay Batavia), Boga, Heedjo gaddo 

 (Sund.), Kuto and Kuto bengo (Javan.). 



Habitat: Common in rivers, lakes and ponds and entering 

 brackish water of: Singapore, Nias!, Sumatra!, Banka, Biliton, 

 Borneo!, Java!, Bawean, Madura. Malay Peninsula, Siam, 

 Andamans, Ceylon, British India, Balutchistan and Afghanistan. 



6. Ophiocephalus bistriatus nom. nov. 



Ophiocepholus bivittatus J. Kdroli, Termesz. Fiizetek V. 1882, p. 24 (nee Bleeker). 



D. 3641; A. 26 28; P. 16; V.6; L.I. 5558 [4550 



4 



according to ^AROLl]; L. tr. i . 



10 ii 



Cylindrical, compressed posteriorly, 5.7 6.5, 7 8 in length 

 with caudal. Head 2.8, 3.5 in length with caudal. Head 

 depressed, above flat end covered with large scales. Eye 4.5 5, 

 one diameter apart and somewhat longer than snout. Cleft of 

 mouth oblique. Maxillary not reaching to the vertical through 

 hindborder of eye. Lower jaw somewhat prominent. Small 

 equal teeth in a pluriserial band in the upper jaw as also in 

 the symphysial part of the lower jaw; the rami of the lower 

 jaw with one or two series of small teeth and distant canines. 



