32 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF COCHIN. [Jan. 10, 
should their tail be touched, they at once erect their spinous fins 
and their scales, even as far as those at the base of the caudal. They © 
at the same time erect their gill-covers. This power must of course 
be of great use in progression, if they employ their gill-covers to 
assist them in climbing. 
They inhabit most pieces of fresh water and paddy-fields, and are 
deemed good eating by the natives, who, immediately they catch 
them, kill them by biting their heads. A fatal accident occurred a 
few years since near Cochin, owing to one of these fish having slipped 
into the throat of the native who was biting its head. Owing to the 
erectile nature of its spines and scales, it could not be withdrawn, and 
the man was suffocated. 
PoLyACANTAUS CUPANUS, Cuv. & Val. 
Caringanah and Wunnuttee (Mal.). 
Bein, Dees, -P.10,. Ve tee AS yO. 4s vlads 
L. tr. =. 
Length of specimens from 1,%, to 2,3; inches. 
Posterior half of horizontal limb of preeoperculum serrated ; pre- 
orbital serrated. 
Colours. Of a general rifle-green, with some spots on the fins, and 
an elongated scarlet ray to the ventral. 
In one specimen an inch long, but which appears to be the P. 
cupanus, there was one spine less in the dorsal, and one ray less in 
the anal. It was of a beautiful rose-colour, rather dark brown along 
the back and base of anal fin. Two deep-black horizontal lines passed, 
one from above the orbit direct to the caudal, and a second from the 
angle of the mouth, through the eye, to the caudal. Head and cheeks 
spotted. The natives asserted it was the same as the common species; 
but, out of hundreds subsequently procured, none had the coloration 
of this one. 
°o ” 
ATHERINA FORSKALI, Riipp. 
B. vine DD, 5) 1/10. 27. 175, Vite, Aide C152 0 dale, 
Liden6s 
Length of specimens from 3 to 3,4; inches. 
Very abundant during the monsoon months, and some are captured 
at the end of the year. This is one of several families which are 
known to the Europeans as Whitebait, like which they are dressed 
for the breakfast-table. 
Mueit waiciEensis, Quoy & Gaim. 
Freshwater Mullet. 
B, ioe. 4 WGNeE AVys * Vee /oe BANS. YOS05s "1 eee 
Trt. 8. 
Length of specimen 11,2; inches. 
Captured from June, when they ascend high up the rivers, and 
are considered by the natives as freshwater fish. 
