1867.] MR. F. DAY ON INDIAN FISHES. 283 



Ophiocephalus striatus, Bloch. 



Cui'roopoo vei'arl (Tarn.). The Black Verarl. 



B.v. D.42. P. 16. V.6. A. 24. C. 13. L.1.56. L. tr. ^. 



Both this and the last species commenced breeding in June, when 

 the south-west monsoon began. Large specimens are difficult to 

 convey long distances alive, because the}^ knock themselves about, 

 and cause such injuries that, if they reach their destination, they 

 generally die in a few days. Some young ones were placed in the 

 Ootacamund Lake. 



Ophiocephalus gachua, Buch. Ham. 



Korava (Tarn.). 



B.v. D. 32. P. 15. V. 6. A. 16. C. 9. L. 1. 41. L. tr. -. 



This fish is exceedingly common in the Bowany, where it is fre- 

 quently captured up to one foot in length. 



The very young has generally a light edging to its dorsal fin, but 

 no red colour is apparent except in the pectoral ; an ocellus is in- 

 variably present in the posterior portion of the dorsal fin. The adult 

 has its dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins margined with bright orange, 

 most developed in the males. 



At first difficulty was experienced in conveying these fish alive up 

 the ghawts ; but finally it was found that when one-fourth (or a little 

 less) of the chatty was first filled with mud and then water added 

 the difficulty vanished. 



The following incidents will show how exceedingly tenacious of 

 life these fish are : — At Culhutty, on July 19th, 1866, a Cooly acci- 

 dentally turned one out of a tin can of water ; this took place at 

 6 P.M., when the temperature of the air was 69°; the occurrence 

 remained undiscovered until 8.45 p.m., or nearly three hours sub- 

 sequently, when the fish was found on the gravel-path outside the 

 house. It was quite well, had suffered no injury, and some days 

 later was placed in the Ootacamund Lake. A few days subsequently 

 a still more interesting circumstance occurred with one of these 

 fish: — On July 27th, 1866, I was riding from MettapoHiam to 

 Wellington, and on passing the Kullaar Bridge at 4.45 p.m. ob- 

 tained a young one of this species. Having nothing else in which 

 to place him, I moistened my pocket-handkerchief, within which 

 I rolled him up, being careful to leave the head exposed. An hour 

 subsequently I took him out of my coat-pocket and put him into 

 a small stream of water by the side of the road ; he gave three 

 gasps, was then as well as ever, and was again consigned to the 

 pocket. At 6.45 p.m. the dipping was repeated, and at 8.45 p.m., 

 on my arrival at Wellington, lie was quite well. The succeedino- 

 morning he was put into the Coonoor stock-pond, and on August 2nd 

 removed, along with fourteen others, into the Ootacamund Lake. 

 The vitality must be great in a fish which, as in this instance, bore 

 an ascent of nearly 5000 feet, carried in a wet pocket-handkerchief 



