Remarks on Miscellaneous Subjects. 427 



411. Ophiocephalus Barca. Buch. We have been favoured 

 by C. D. Russell, Esq. of Rungpore, with two specimens of 

 this species of fish, together with some very interesting par- 

 ticulars regarding its habits. 



Buchanan, who but few things have escaped, remarked that this 

 species which he found in the Bramaputra river near Goalpara, in- 

 habits holes, dug like those of the martin, that is, a kind of swallow, 

 (Hirundo,) in the perpendicular banks ; in these he says it lurks watch- 

 ing for its prey with its head out, and notwithstanding its strong 

 variegated colours, it is an ugly animal.* We have long been familiar 

 with this species, which is common throughout Bengal, but we were 

 never so fortunate as to see it on a high bank overlooking the waters, 

 or comfortably enjoining the fresh breeze, with its head projecting from 

 a bird's nest. Indeed there are no high banks for the enjoyment of 

 either birds or fishes in Bengal. Hence perhaps, according to the fol- 

 lowing account (which has been published in the Journal of the Asiatic 

 Society of Bengal, 1839, p. 551) this species appears to visit Boutan, M r e 

 presume for the benefit of the mountain air. 



" On the Bora Chung, or Ground Fish of Bootan. 

 " To the Secretaries to the Asiatic Society. 



" Gentlemen, — The following account of the Bora Chung, or as it may 

 be called, the Ground-Fish of Bootan, is so extraordinary, as to be 

 worthy I think of the attention of the Asiatic Society, for so far as I 

 know it is new. I am indebted for it to Mr. Russell, of Rungpore. 



" The Bora Chung is a thick cylindrical fish, with a body somewhat 

 like a pike, but thicker, with a snub nose, and grows from three pounds 

 weight, to a length of two feet. The colour is olive green, with orange 

 stripes ; and the head speckled with crimson spots.- It is eaten by the 

 natives of Bootan, and said to be delicious. 



" The Bora Chung is found in Bootan, on the borders of the Chail 

 Nuddee, which falls into the river Dhallah, a branch of which runs 

 into the Teestah at Paharpore. It is not immediately on the brink of 

 the water, however, that the fish is caught, but in perfectly dry places, 

 in the middle of a grass jungle, sometimes as far as two miles from 

 the river. The natives search this jungle till they find a hole, about 

 four or five inches in diameter, and into it they insert a stick to 



* Vide Gangetic Fishes, p. 67, fig. xxxv. 



3 K 



