1865. ] MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF COCHIN. 287 
BREGMACEROS MACCLELLANDI! (Thompson). 
B. vii. D.V16+x.4+15. P.25. V.6. A. 22+x.415. 
Coty TL 640) Lsors' Gye 
Length of specimen 2,5, inches. 
This specimen was captured in March 1861. The species appears 
to be rare. 
PsEUDORHOMBUS RUSSELLII (Gray). 
owe -U fls Peta. fe Oe eee tere Ul Wey: 
Length of specimen 11 inches. 
Not common; good eating. 
SyNAPTURA FOLIACEA (Richardson). 
Baw, ieee. en 7. V. 6° APA. Cte i. fo: 
Length of specimens from 3 to 6,5, inches. 
Not rare; good.eating. 
PLAGUSIA BILINEATA (Bloch). 
Bove MUG vias, Oo. /a. C.98. LE. 1 85. 
Length of specimen 7 inches. 
The Sizurorp fishes are represented in several genera, whilst 
the individuals composing the species are most abundant. Many 
are exceedingly useful ; but others are dangerous, and consequently 
offer especial reasons for examination. Being with but few ex- 
ceptions scaleless, they are prohibited as articles of food to both 
Mahomedans and Jews, and are left to the native Christian and 
Pariah population, as, excepting the Wallago genus, none of the 
true scaleless Siluroids are eaten by Europeans. All of them are 
considered more or less indigestible, heating, and liable to give rise 
to irritation of the intestinal canal. There are several which might 
be made serviceable in the manufacture of isinglass, and the Arius 
militaris is said to have been thus employed at Tellicherry ; but in 
~ Cochin, at least, none of them appear ever to have been put to such 
ause. ‘ Fish-sounds”’ are obtained from this order of fish, as well 
as from some others. 
The estuary species are mostly captured by a rod and line, espe- 
cially in the monsoon-time ; but some of the smaller ones are taken 
in the Chinese nets at the side of the river. 
The Stluride heteroptere and 8. proteroptere, more especially in 
their groups of Silurine, Ariine, and Bagarine (with the exception 
- of the Wallago and, I believe, Plotosus genera), comprised under 
the Malayalim term “ Coree,”’ are exceedingly dreaded, from the in- 
. Juries they inflict with their serrated pectoral spines, the wounds 
from which are reputed to be venomous. On being captured, both 
. the dorsal and pectoral spines are immediately broken off; for no 
purchaser will handle them until this has been done. 
That most dangerous inflammations are frequently occasioned from 
wounds caused by the pectoral spines of these fish I can confirm by 
_ personal experience, having often treated such cases in the hospitals 
