1870.] SURGEON F. DAY ON INDIAN FISHES. 369 
But it seems probable that other points of structure, not yet known, 
may correspond with this character, which will enable us to find out 
the natural affinities of these snakes. In the highest degree remark- 
able is it at all events that C. gracilis does not possess this poison- 
gland, as it resembles C. intestinalis in such a manner that only 
after exact examination the differences of colour and marking are 
visible. Can we here have to do with a case of mimicry? as it might 
be of advantage for C. gracilis to mimic C. intestinalis, more formi- 
dable in consequence of the poison-apparatus. I may remark that 
C. intestinalis has a wide area of distribution, whereas C. gracilis 
has only been found at Pinang and Singapore; and we know, from 
the researches of Messrs. Bates and Wallace, that all mimicked spe- 
cies are widely spread and plentiful, while the mimicking species are 
rare and confined to a restricted region. Perhaps, too, the great 
resemblance between Megerophis flaviceps and Callophis bivirgatus 
(var. ¢e¢ratenia) is another example of mimicry, the latter having 
this formidable poison-apparatus, and M. flaviceps not, and the latter 
being rare, the former very plentiful. But only further observations 
can determine whether this explanation is a right one or not. 
That C. japonicus, Gthr., possesses the large poison-gland is not 
probable, as it approaches in its characters to Hemibungarus, which 
does not possess it. 
3. Notes on some Fishes from the Western Coast of India. 
By Surgeon Francis Day, F.Z.S., F.L.S., Madras Army. 
Having received" leave last February to proceed from Madras to 
Europe, I availed myself of the opportunity of crossing that Presi- 
dency by rail to Beypore on its western or Malabar coast. Passing 
on to Calicut, I obtained a few fishes there, when, finding it would be 
a week before the steamer could arrive, I paid a flying visit to Vithry 
in the Wynaad range of hills, as there were several questions respect- 
ing the fishes of that mountain-range which I was desirous of solving. 
With respect to some of these I believe I have been successful ; a few, 
however, must still remain for further inquiry and future investi- 
gators. 
Arriving off Mangalore I received a small but very interesting 
collection of the fishes of South Canara, from H. E. Thomas, Esq., 
C.S., the collector of the district, who has paid great attention to the 
finny inhabitants of his range. 
In the following remarks it is not my intention to refer to all the 
species I obtained, but merely to those apparently new, or respecting 
which I have a few remarks to record. 
Family Percip2. 
AMBASSIS THOMASSI, sp. nov. 
Bi vin D. 7|5. P. 15. Vi 1/5. A, 3/10, C,.15..1.1.38, Late, 6/13. 
Length of head 2, of caudal 7, height of body } of total length. 
