32 INDIAN FISH AND FISHING. 



running or stagnant waters ? If they are covered or left 

 uncovered in their nests ? If the male carries them about 

 or protects them ? Can their germination be retarded by 

 artificial means or natural causes, as by the action of cold 

 or their immersion in mud ? 



That anadromous forms, as the salmon or shad of Europe 

 or the hilsa (Clupea palasah) of India, pass from the sea 

 to the fresh waters to deposit their eggs in localities most 

 suitable for their reception, is well known. If we examine 

 into the migration of Indian fishes for breeding purposes in 

 fresh waters, we find such takes place under three conditions, 

 viz. : — (i) anadromous forms from the sea to the fresh waters, 

 as already adverted to ; (2) such species as may be con- 

 sidered pertaining to the mountains, or else deposit their 

 ova in the rivers of the hills ; (3) such as are restricted to 

 the plains, but which likewise undertake certain changes of 

 locality at these periods. Of the migratory hill fishes, the 

 various forms of large barbels, Barfois, termed Mahaseers, 

 furnish good examples. In the Himalayas they ascend the 

 main rivers, but turn into the side streams to breed ; while 

 on the less elevated Neilgherry mountains in the Madras 

 Presidency, the same phenomenon occurs, but with this 

 difference, that they deposit their ova in the main streams 

 because such are small, and perhaps due to their never being 

 ■replenished with snow-water. Occasionally the fish are too 

 large to ascend these mountain rivers, when they would 

 appear to breed at the bases of the hills ; whether it is from 

 the offspring of such that this genus has extended through 

 the plains it is not my purpose to inquire in this place. 

 When the rivers commence being in flood, adults are able to 

 ascend to feeding grounds which were previously inaccessible 

 to them. Having spawned, they keep dropping gently down 

 stream, during which time the amount of water is diminish- 



