Ophiocephalus. gangetic fishes. 59 



than those toward each extremity. The pectoral fins are short 

 and somewhat sharp, and each contains twenty rays. The ven- 

 tral fins are very short, and each contains six rays, of which the 

 first is a short strong prickle, while the others are branched. 

 The fin behind the vent extends along most of the tail, and con- 

 tains twenty-eight rays. The tail fin contains nineteen large 

 rays, besides some short closely compacted ones on each side. 



IV. Genus. — Ophiocephalus. 



Fishes of the fourth order with large scales on the head and 

 gill-covers, which are smooth edged and unarmed ; with a body 

 very long in proportion to its thickness, and little compressed ; 

 with one long unarmed fin on the back ; and with two ventral 

 fins. 



This genus of Indian fishes, first noticed by Bloch, contains 

 a considerable number of species, all having a very strong af- 

 finity to each pther, and rather difficult to distinguish by satis- 

 factory characters, owing, in a great measure, to the number of 

 rays in the fins being liable to a considerable variation in dif- 

 ferent individuals of the same species. The colours also vary 

 considerably at different ages, and, 1 suspect, in different cir- 

 cumstances affecting variously the animal's health, although on 

 this last point I cannot be certain. 



All of them, that I know, afford a light and wholesome but 

 rather insipid diet, and are very tenacious of life. In so much, 

 that in China they are often canned alive in pails of water, 

 and slices are cut for sale as wanted, the fish selling dear while 

 it retains life, while what remains after death is considered as of 

 little value. 



Besides the characters mentioned as generic, all those fishes, 

 although their colours are variegated and sometimes bright, 

 have a lurid appearance. They have the head rounded before, 



