Ophiocephalus. gangetic fishes. 65 



the true lateral lines end in a notch. The scales are large, ad- 

 here firmly, are smooth, and have entire edges. The vent is 

 before the middle. 



The back fin is rounded at the posterior end, and its last ray 

 is very deeply divided into two. Each pectoral fin contains six- 

 teen rays, of which one on each side is simple, the others are 

 branched. Each ventral fin contains six rays, of which the first 

 is undivided, and the others are branched. The anal fin is 

 rounded behind, and contains about twenty branched rays : 

 that of the tail contains twelve that are long and distinct, be- 

 sides some short compacted ones at each side. 



/v 



4th Species. — Ophiocephalus marulius. Plate XXII. 



Fig. 19. 



An ophiocephalus with from fifty-two to fifty-four rays in the 

 back fin, and six in each ventral, and with an eye-like spot on 

 the fin of the tail. 



In all parts of India that I have visited, this fish is found in 

 ponds and fresh water rivers ; and although often found with- 

 in the tide-way, so far as I know, it never frequents places 

 where the water is salt. It is found three feet in length ; but 

 is not considered so good for eating as the Sol. In the lower 

 parts of Bengal, the persons dedicated to i*eligion, from some 

 old prejudice, think it unlucky to say that it is either good or 

 bad. 



The adult fish is of a greenish colour above, with several 

 dark irregular belts crossing the back, and terminating below 

 the lateral lines in large black irregular spots. The under 

 parts are whitish. There are many white spots scattered over 

 the sides, and on the fins of the back, vent, and tail. At the 

 root of the latter, and near its upper side, is a fine black spot, 

 surrounded, like the pupil of the eye, by a white ring. In the 



i 



