36 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF COCHIN. [Jan. 10, 
Length of specimen 20,4; inches. 
Its coloration varies considerably: in the specimen in my collection 
the back was dark grey, which colour passed downwards in five or 
six digitations to below the lateral line. Abdomen bright orange, 
with a few dusky markings at the base of the scales. Dorsal, caudal, 
pectoral, and anal grey; ventrals‘orange. On the posterior third of 
the body, of the dorsal and anal fins, and over the whole of the 
caudal were round pearl-like spots. 
These are considered the best of the genus for the table; they do 
not appear to frequent stagnant waters or pools. 
The O. grandinosus, C. & V., appears to be this species. The 
colours of many Indian specimens are nearly as vivid as represented 
by the Chinese painter. Likewise O. leucopunctatus, Sykes, seems 
to be merely the O. marulius. 
OPpHIOCEPHALUS DIPLOGRAMMA, Day, sp. nov. 
By. Dl 43 Poo. V6; AS 87. °C 15) Ss eee 
1312" 
inches. 
Length of specimen from 3,%,. 
of head. ... 1..:.)- 1,4, or about two-sevenths of total length. 
——— of pectoral .... 45, or about one-tenth of total length. 
of base of dorsal 1,8,, or about one-half of total length. 
—— of base of anal . 1;4,, or about two-sevenths of total length. 
of caudal...... >8;, or about one-seventh of total length. 
Diameter of eye ;2; inch, or ;2; of length of head; ;%; inch from 
end of snout, nearly ;3; apart. 
Body subcylindrical in front ; head depressed and flat superiorly, 
rather compressed laterally. Orbit oval and close to profile. 
Cleft of mouth lateral, wide; lower jaw the longest; superior 
maxillary extends behind to below posterior third of orbit. Thirteen 
rows of scales between orbit and angle of przeoperculum. Inter- 
orbital space flat, slightly wider than the length of the snout ; plates 
irregularly round, with raised margins, and smaller than those on the 
back of the head. About six series of scales between the orbits, the 
centre ones of which are the largest. Nostrils rather wide apart, 
the anterior of which is superior and the largest. A sharp spinous 
process exists on either side of the back of the head, above the oper- 
eulum. 
Teeth. Several rows of sharp teeth in the lower jaw, with an irre- 
gular internal row of larger ones. Several bands of sharp teeth in 
the upper jaw, vomer, and palate, in these two last places interspersed 
with larger ones. 
Fins. Ventral reaches nearly as far as the commencement of anal. 
Fin-rays all weak. Pectoral rounded. Caudal slightly rounded. 
Scales comparatively small, lineated, and raised at their margins. 
tte line makes a curve from the seventh to the eighth row of 
scales. 
Colours. Back greyish ; sides scarlet; abdomen white. A broad 
black band passes through the eye direct to the upper half of caudal 
