Gobius. — 1st Div. gangetic fishes. 39 



protuberance, analogous somewhat to the shoulder in qua- 

 drupeds. 



3d, Such as have short compressed bodies, without the above 

 mentioned protuberance. 



Of the first division I have found three species. They 

 have a very strong affinity to the two fishes last described, and by 

 the natives are considered as belonging to the same genus, 

 which those of Bengal name Changua ; but the Changuas be- 

 longing to the genus Gobius are not near such ugly looking 

 animals as the Gobioides, and are considered as excellent eat- 

 ing by all ranks of the natives. When alarmed, these fishes, 

 like eels, very suddenly disappear in the sand or mud, in which 

 they dig with great facility. I have heard of two other fishes 

 (no doubt species of gobius) that have similar manners ; but I 

 had no opportunity of examining them, nor of knowing 

 whether they belonged to this division, or to one of the other 

 two. The one is named Baliya kadi, and, from its name, 

 should belong to the third division. The other is named 

 Kadi changua, and, from its name, should belong to the first. 

 The general characters belonging to this division are as fol- 

 lows : 



They are small fishes, from six inches to a foot in length, 

 very slendei', like eels, and variegated with numerous spots or 

 dots. 



The head is blunt, slopes much from the eyes, and is small. 

 The mouth is low in the head, and opens horizontally rather 

 wide. The upper jaw is the longest, and does not protrude 

 in opening. Both contain a single row of teeth turned for- 

 ward ; and at the end of the under one there is a tubercle con- 

 taining two teeth larger than the others. The eyes are on the 

 summit of the head. The gill-covers are smooth, and move 

 freely. The membrane is distinctly visible, and its rays may be 



