Afghan Collection of Fishes. 583 



Ophicephalus. 



1. Opicephalus indicus, nob. — Two plates or scales in the inter- 

 val between the eyes, and one in front on the snout. Length of the 

 head equal to half that of the body, exclusive of the head and caudal 

 fin. About 36 scales along the lateral line from the operculum to 



the caudal ; the fin rays are, 



l 

 D. 26 : P. 17 : V. 6 : A. 17 : C. fi. 



T 



The jaws are narrow, and the young only appear to be marked 

 with a few obscure bars at the base of the caudal fin. 



Habitat. The Chenab in the Punjab, and Loodianah, where it is 

 called Doarka and Dourra. It is also found in the Cabool river. 



2. Ophicephalus montanus, nob. — Three complete scales in a row 

 between the eyes, with three triangularly placed scales in front on 

 the snout. About 43 scales along the lateral line. Pectoral fins 

 crossed with fine bars. 



D. 32: P. 14: V. 6: A. 17: C. 13. 



In large specimens the head is dilated and broad, and the three 

 scales in front of the row between the eyes are sometimes wanting. 

 Habitat. Baisoot, Jullalabad, Himalaya, and Sadoo, (Griffith.) 



Silurid^e. 



1. Silurus indicus, nob. Four soft rays in the dorsal fin which 

 is very small, the head is short, the operculum terminating behind 

 in a rounded obtuse corner, directed obliquely downwards, with a 

 slender, pointed, and smooth conical spine in the pectorals ; seven 

 rays in the ventrals preceded by a short one ; four cirri. 

 B. 11 : D. 4 : P. \ : V. 8 : A. 71 : C. 18. 



Habitat. Loodianah, the Punjab, and the Cabool river at Jullala- 

 bad. This species is called Puftah at Loodianah, and is the same 

 as the Puftah of Bengal, and identical with Silurus canio, S. duda, 

 and S. chedra of Buchanan, which would seem to be but varieties of 

 a widely diffused and common species. 



Pimelodus anisurus, McClell. — Lower lobe of the caudal short- 

 er than the upper. Head short and anteriorly compressed with the 

 opercula, terminating on each side by a narrow rounded point, di- 



