1869.] MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES OF ORISSA. 297 
extracted from at least 2 feet below the surface of the mud, two 
specimens of the Ophiocephalus punctatus, Bloch, and three of the 
Rhynchobdella aculeata, Willughby. All of these fish were very 
lively, and not in the slightest degree torpid. They were covered 
over with a thickish adherent slime; and on dissecting them at a 
subsequent date, none contained ova. ‘The natives stated that if I 
returned in about a month, by which time they expected the ground 
would be hard and caked, they were confident that we should still 
find fish below the surface. 
1. LATES CALCARIFER, Bloch, 
Bekkut (Ooriah). 
This marine Perch ascends the rivers far beyond the influence of 
the tides, following those species which migrate to the fresh waters 
for the purpose of depositing their ova. In the Mahanuddi it is 
frequently taken at Benki, about 76 miles from the sea. 
2. MESOPRION CHIRTAH, Cuy. & Val. 
Soosta (Ooriah). 
Beye: Ds B19. Vee. Avge C1 Lido Metts S 
Ceec. pyl. 6. 
The form I obtained was the young M. annularis, C. & V., at 
Chanderpore, near the mouth of the Balasore river, where I examined 
the stake-nets on three different days during the spring tides, and 
obtained several species of fish and two sorts of sea-snakes, one of 
the latter of which bit my left heel whilst wading in the sea amongst 
the fishing-nets. I procured specimens, and I find it to be the 
Enhydrina bengaliensis, Gray. As the fangs drew blood, I am in- 
clined to think that perhaps the reptile had discharged his venom 
on some fish previously to trying his teeth on my heel. I may men- 
tion that I found alive on the shore at the same place a very fine 
specimen of that handsome Sea-snake the Pelamis bicolor, Schneider. 
3. Mesoprion siLuaoo, Cuy. & Val. 
Purruwa (Ooriah). 
Pee ee ol Va ey On 1g LT a0 Lith, a 
i 8 
Some fine specimens of this fish were taken in the sea at Chan- 
derpore; I likewise saw many which had been dried in the sun. 
4, Ampassis ALTA, Cuv. & Val. 
Chandee (Ooriah). 
Bove Ds 7 [er BAIR Ve igh 0. 17 W..58: 
12-15" "13-15" 
Several spines about the head ; six directed backwards on the pre- 
orbital ; one moderately strong one is placed on the centre of the 
anterior margin of the orbit, and five more along its lower edge. On 
the centre of the posterior margin of the orbit is a similar spine, with 
