AND FISHING. 151 



HASSAR. 



Dr. Hancock, a distinguished ichthyologist, 

 says of the hassar, " this is one of those species 

 of fishes which possess the singular property of 

 deserting the water, and travelling over land. In 

 these terrestrial excursions large droves of them 

 are met with by the Indians, during dry seasons, 

 for it is only then that they are compelled to this 

 dangerous march in search of water, which ex- 

 poses them to so many enemies. 



Fish Nest. The hassar makes a regular nest, 

 in which it lays its eggs in a flattened cluster, 

 and covers them over most carefully ; it remains 

 by the side of the nest until the spawn is hatched, 

 with as much solicitude as a hen guards her eggs ; 

 both the male and female hassar courageously 

 attack assailants. The round-head hassar forms 

 its nest of grass, and the fiat-head of leaves. 

 Zoological Journal, No. 14. 



Some Indian fish live out of water for a consi- 

 derable time ; numbers of travellers have confirmed 

 the fact ; it is owing to the peculiar construction 

 of their gills, by which they are enabled to take 

 up and retain a supply of water sufficient to keep 

 up respiration during their absence from that ele- 

 ment. It is well known to what an extent this 

 power is enjoyed by eels. 



