22 MALAYAN FISHES. 



The Catla {Catia bucliimani) of India, Burma and Siam has- 

 not yet been identified in our rivers and as it attains a length of 

 at least 6 feet and a corresponding iveighf, I suggest the quest of 

 tlie Catla, as a sound sporting proposition, to the anglers of Kuala 

 Lipis, and otlier up country stations, with a good chance of success^ 



EELS. 



AKGUILLWAE, JilURAENIDAE, CONGEIDAE, ETC. 



The Eels are placed on the Order Apodes which has several 

 families and not less than 30 species, represented in Malayan 

 waters. Eels are more popular perlia]).? with the Cliinese- than 

 with any other race in Malaya. The Congers (Malong) are quite 

 common and find a ready sale in the markets. 



One eel {Thyrsoidea macrura) known as the Pampan or 

 Pom pa Ijy the Javanese is probably the largest eel in the world 

 and exceeds 10 feet in length. It has been found in the shallow 

 seas and estuaries, and even rivers, of Sumatra, Xew Guinea, Natal, 

 India, Ceylon and Queensland, but has not yet been recorded by 

 local scientist?. 



SWAMP-EELS. 



SYMBRAXCHIDAE. 



The Belut (Monopteriis albiis) is confined to the fresh or 

 brackish waters of Burma, the Malay Archipelago and Cliina. 



" This eel is numerous at C'husau. in streamlets, canals,, 

 and estuaries. As it is a favourite article of food it is kept by 

 the inhabitants of Chusan in large jars, with fresh water. But 

 it is capable of living a considerable time out of water. It is 

 of voracious habits, feeding on smaller fishes, and it takes 

 hooks baited witli earthworms.'' (Cantor). 



SEA-HORSES AND SKELETON-FISHES. 



{SYNGXATHIDAE df AMPHISILIDAE.) 



The little Sea-Horse, Kuda-kuda laut (Hippocampus spp.), 

 which is so like the conventional knight of tlie chess-board, is a 

 familiar object in most Museums. It has, of course, no economic 

 value. 



A peculiarity of this curious family is that '' the males are- 

 provided with a pouch (in some species there is only a broad groove) 

 in which the eggs are hatched after being deposited by the female. 



" Tlie males take full cliarge of them, and the young remain in 

 the pouch usually for a short time, after being hatched.'' ('Stead). 



The Skeleton-Fish, as I liave called it, Amphisile scutata, is 

 known to Malays as Ikan kering. It is only a few inches long 

 and, as it has practically no flesh on its bony carcase, it has no- 

 edible value. 



