1870.] SURGEON F. DAY ON ANDAMAN-ISLAND FISHES. 677 
morei was to that of the Irrawaddy. The author finally repeated 
the statements, as regards the synonymy of this species, which he 
had published already in Journ. Linn. Soc. Zool. vol. x. p. 16, and 
in his Catalogue before referred to. 

The following papers were read :-—— 
1. On the Fishes of the Andaman Islands. 
By Francis Day, F.Z.S. & F.L.S. 
Having been directed by the Government of India to examine into 
and report upon the capabilities of the fisheries of the Andaman 
Islands, I propose detailing in the following paper the result of my 
investigations into the ichthyology of that penal settlement *. 
These rocky islands are surrounded to a great extent by coral 
reefs, whilst the waters are beautifully clear, except during the stormy 
raonths of the year. The inquirer is consequently enabled with the 
greatest facility to perceive, even at considerable depths, the move- 
ments of the fishes, crustaceans, and other animals which inhabit 
those regions. Due most probably to this clearness of the water, 
the coloration of the fish is much more vivid than along the coasts of 
India ; and other curious results appear to be consequent on the same 
cause. 
Siluroids are very rare; the feelers useful in muddy waters do not 
appear to be here required ; in fact, the only situations where they 
were at all common were up creeks and in brackish pieces of water. 
Sea-snakes seemed to be entirely absent. 
In those inland portions of the islands investigated by us, the 
freshwater streams (except during the rainy seasons) are insignifi- 
cant, whilst large natural tanks are unknown. The aborigines, 
however, assert that a fine freshwater lake exists a few days’ journey 
inland in the South Andamans. As might be anticipated, the 
varieties of freshwater fishes are few. 
The period of the year I was at the Andamans was from December 
29th, 1869, to January 24th, 1870, during which brief stay TI re- 
ceived every assistance from the officials in procuring all the various 
species of fish which could be captured. I likewise went for eight 
days’ fishing with the aborigines, when I was accompanied by Mr. 
Homfray, their energetic protector, and was fortunate in procuring 
many species at this time which I did not otherwise obtain. 
Even during my brief sojourn, I observed the apparent migration 
of one species of fish, the beautiful Acanthurus lineatus, Linn., which 
was abundant on my arrival, but could not be obtained at the period 
I left. 
I have included a few species obtained at the Nicobars by a 
native collector, who was kindly lent to me for that purpose by Dr. 
Stoliczka. 
* For an account of the aborigines of the Andamans, see the author’s article, 
Trans. As. Soc. Beng. 1870. 
