FISH COLLECTION IN, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM. 599 



Echeneis, are present ; these attach themselves by a sucker-lite disc 

 occupying the upper surface of their heads to their " host," generally 

 a shark, but are '' commensal parasites, using the larger fish only as a 

 quick means of transit to fresh feeding grounds, and are themselves 

 often taken free" ( Van Benediyi). Icthyscopus inermis, another remark- 

 able fish, with a disproportionally large head, the eyes looking upwards 

 and the mouth opening vertically. It lives in the mud and is diffi- 

 cult to catch. They are said to make a curious noise " half-snapping, 

 half-croaking." 



Platycephalus punctatus, one of the so-called *' crocodile fish," very 

 common in Bombay ; it is peculiar in having eye-lids which it can 

 close. Boleophthalmus, two species, are represented. These fish live on 

 the surface of the mud and are apparently more often out of the water 

 than in it. They will drown if not allowed to come to the surface. 

 Large numbers of these, with several other kinds of "gobies," 

 are sold in great numbers in the market, evidently much appreciated. 

 Mustacembelus and the allied genus, Rhynchobdella, or "spiny eels," are 

 eloDgated fish, peculiar in having a long fleshy snout, living in brackish 

 water, and also said to breathe air direct. Among the most peculiar fish 

 in structure is Amphisile scutator from Aden. It is about 4 inches long 

 with a very flattened body, depressed tail and a dorsal cuirass, havino- 

 its mouth at the end of a long snout. It would appear to be a very 

 indigestible morsel for other predatory fish. There are present two 

 species of the genus Ophiocephalus, which are found in fresh-water 

 pools, tanks, wells, etc. This name is given them on account of the 

 snake-like head, covered with large scales. They have accessory gill 

 cavities, being able to exist long periods out of water, also can 

 travel some distance overland, chiefly moving by means of their 

 strong pectoral and caudal fins. They are sometimes found alive buried 

 in mud and are popularily believed by the natives to fall with the rain. 

 Harpodon nehereus, another fish, very well known, and largely in 

 demand, both in the fresh and dried state, commonly called " Bombay 

 duck." It is very plentifully taken in the sea near Bombay. The 

 fish is serai-transparent and very flabby when first taken, quickly 

 decomposing. The eyes are yellow, the jaws wide and teeth large. 



There is one specimen of the genus Percis, which I have been 

 unable to determine and is possibly new. The *' Pipe fish" and 



