410 



SPINY-FINNED GROUP. 



gill-like organ. Whereas some are carnivorous, others are vegetable-feeders ; but 

 all are capable of domestication, in which state they are subject to considerable 

 variation, and several have been acclimatised in countries other than their own. 

 The flesh of all of them is said to be eatable, and that of some is of excellent 

 quality. On account of their brilliant coloration, and the curious habits of some 

 of them, these fish have always attracted more than ordinary interest. 



The fish to which the somewhat inappropriate name of climbing- 

 cnmbmg ' Percl1 ' perch (Anabas scandens) has long been applied by Europeans in 



CLIMBING-PERCH ON LAND (h nat. size). 



India is the sole representative of a genus characterised by the presence of teeth 

 on the palate, and the serration of the free margins of the opercular and preorbital 

 bones. In form the body is compressed and oblong ; the lateral line is interrupted ; 

 the single dorsal fin has its spinous portion much longer than the soft part ; while 

 in the anal fin the spines are less numerous than those on the back. The caudal 

 fin is rounded, and the scales are rather large. In length the climbing-perch may 

 reach at least 8 A- inches, and in the adult state its general colour is dark green, 

 usually marked with dusky bands, which disappear soon after death. It frequents- 



