100 ZOOLOGY OF INDIA; 



be recommended for the diet of convalescents. It is the 



Ophicephalus striatus of Bloch. 



Of the scomber tribe, the leopard-mackerel (Sc. Uopardus) 

 is nearly three feet long. Its colour is dusky-blue above, and 

 silvery on the sides and abdomen. The sides are also 

 marked by numerous black spots. This species is much 

 esteemed by the European residents as an article of food. 

 It is described by Dr. Russel under the name of imngeram. 

 The rahtu goolixinda of that author (pi. 157) is the Indian 

 .surmullet {Midlus Indicus). The aspect of the living fish 

 is sincTularly beautiful, but speedily fades after death. The 

 upper" parts of the head, neck, and back are of a dark 

 changeable purple, fainter on the sides, which are marked 

 by a few longitudinal lines of azure and gold. There 

 are two oblon<T spots on each side ; the first, situated 

 near the centre of the body, is smallish, and of an opa- 

 line colour, or changeable from bluish-white to gold; the 

 second is nearer the tail, of a larger size, aiwl of a dark- 

 purple hue. The abdomen is white ; the dorsal-fin purple, 

 streaked withUght-blue ; the pectoral and anal fins are pink. 

 This beautiful creature was observed by Dr. Kussel near 

 Vizagapatan. As an article of food it is not greatly es- 



^ We may here mention the flying-gurnard ( Trigla volitans), 

 which swims in shoals, and ever and anon darts into the 

 air, and makes its way to a considerable distance. It is 

 famihar to the Indian voyager. Several other species of 

 flying-fish (belonging, however, to the genus Exoccttiis) 

 are likewise common to the Indian seas. According to 

 Bloch (who quotes from Plumier), the spawn of one of them 

 is so hicrhly acrimonious, that the smallest portion cannot 

 be applied to the tongue or palate without producing unme- 

 diate excoriation. , 



The mano-o-fish {Polynemus ■paxadisetis), so called proo- 

 ahly on acco'Imt of its yellow colour, which resembles that 

 of a ripe mango, is said by Dr. Russel to be regarded as by 

 much the most delicate food of any of the Calcutta species. 

 It is called tuvsec mutchcy by the natives. Another species 

 of the same genus (P. flehcius of Broussonet) is also an 

 excellent fish for the table, and is much esteemed by the 

 inhabitants of the Malabar coast. It is dressed m varioua 



