-1865.] © MR. F. DAY ON- THE FISHES OF COEHIN; 31 
spinous portion can be laid flat on the back, where it is recéived into 
a depression ; it is 1,2; inch in extent, and much lower than the soft 
portion, which is ,*, inch and pointed. Caudal wedge-shaped. Pee- 
toral rounded. Ventral pointed. Soft portion of anal pointed, Dorsal 
spines rather strong ; interspinous membrane deeply notched, and ex- 
-tending alittle beyond the points of the spines ; first <1, ; second ;7;; 
third ;3;; thence they continue much the same length ; central 
soft rays the longest. Ventral spine pretty strong. Anal spines 
strong, and they can be received into a depression the same as the 
dorsal spines; first ;2,; second ;%,, and strongest; third slightly 
longer ; centre soft rays longest, the same of the caudal. 
Scales ctenoid, greatest diameter from above downwards; some 
are continued over the soft portion of the dorsal and anal, and also 
over the base of caudal. . 
Lateral line interrupted, at first in upper fourth of body ; opposite 
fourth soft dorsal ray it ceases on twenty-first scale ; then from below 
last portion of soft dorsal it is continued along median line as far as, 
but not on to, caudal fin. 
Colours. Rifle-green, with purplish reflexions, darker on the back 
than on the abdomen. Fins greenish. Eyes yellowish green. 
Two specimens were sent me by the Rev. Henry Baker ( junior) 
from Mundykium, on the hill-ranges of Travancore, not far from 
Cochin. It appears to be common there. 
ANABAS SCANDENS, Daldorff. 
Undee collee (Mal.). 
B, vi, D, 28, P.15. V. 1/5. A255. C.16, L, 1. 27-32, 
L. tr. 5/9. 
Length of specimens from 3 to 6,8, inches. 
The number of scales along the lateral line differs considerably in 
different specimens, as do also the number of fin-rays, the compara- 
tive size and colour of the body, and the valance at the margin of the 
superbranchial organ. 
The climbing-properties attributed to these fish in other parts of 
India are believed in by the natives of Malabar; but personal ob- 
servation can neither confirm nor refute this belief. 
Having taken some live specimens at Kurriapudnam in the hot 
weather, and kept them in damp grass, some retained vitality as long 
as eighteen hours; frequently, when apparently dead, if water were 
cautiously applied, they recovered. 
Climbing Perch are difficult to keep in a vivarium, owing to their 
constantly jumping out, a foot in height being insufficient for the 
purpose of retaining them. They are able to progress on the ground 
in two ways, either by laying on their sides, flapping their tails, and 
assisting themselves by their pectoral fins, or else by the aid of their 
pectoral fins, first one being advanced, and then the other. 
. They can erect their fins, and likewise their scales, at pleasure ; 
and when placed on a flat surface, even when apparently nearly dead,, 
