1865.] MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF COCHIN. 35 
field. It is extraordinary in what small pieces of water they will live 
and thrive, owing to the immensity of animal life in the fresh waters 
of Malabar. 
They have obtained their common appellation of ‘* Walking-fish ”’ 
from being able to progress some distance over moist places, and thus 
change their localities, which they do either when the pond in which 
they live is becoming dried up, or when the monsoon fills every place 
with water. Possessing a cavity (like the rest of the genus) above 
the gills which enables them to carry water, they are capable of 
keeping their respiratory organs moist so long as the fluid lasts, and 
can consequently breathe for some time after leaving their native 
element. They are not able to erect their fins, gill-covers, and scales 
like the Anabas scandens, but otherwise progress in the same manner. 
It is often asserted that these fish can exist in the dried mud of 
tanks ; but though frequently promised by natives that they would 
discover them in such places, they invariably failed. Perhaps this 
idea may have originated because it is at the commencement of the 
monsoon, when the rains begin to render all the previously dried-up 
tanks first mud and then water, these fish may be seen migrating. 
It may be that as they were known to exist there at a prior time 
when there was water, were not apparent when the tank was dry, 
but were again seen as the exsiccated mud became moist*, the natives 
believe they have arrived out of it. It can scarcely be supposed 
these fish could retain vitality in dried mud, where they would be 
unable to breathe, to move, or to feed. Europeans have frequently 
seen them migrating ; and that they are capable of walking, personal 
observation can attest. 
OpHIocreHALUS GACHUA, Buch. Ham. 
Kuravu (Mal.). 
Baa 35. elon. Wis Os, wArol. Coli LL.) 40. 
Bitte > 
Length of specimens from 5 to 5,3; inches. 
Said not to grow upwards of 8 inches in length. Very common, 
and found in almost every piece of fresh water, even in many wells. 
Eaten by the natives. Takes a bait freely. 
OpHIOCEPHALUS MARULIUS, Buch. Ham. 
Chaaree verarl (Mal.). 
B.v. D.50. P.18. V.6. A. 32. C.14. 1.1.59. L. tr. ©? 
* In one south-west monsoon, the grassland in front of the house I lived in, 
and formerly part of the esplanade, became one day a sheet of water. As that 
evaporated and soaked into the earth I could perceive fish swimming about. 
Having sent out persons to capture them, several species were brought me, viz. 
a Saccobranchus singio, an Ambassis, and some Barbels or Systom?. I could never 
account for how they arrived ; for the remnants of the ramparts precluded their 
entrance except by the drains, but the only one which opened there took a cir- 
cuitous route to the sea-face of the river, whilst all captured were freshwater 
species. 
