323 
CHAP. X. 
FISHES. 
Hitherto no branch of the zoology of Ceylon has been 
so imperfectly investigated as its Ichthyology. Little 
has been done in the examination and description of its 
fishes, especially those which frequent the rivers and 
inland waters. Mr. Bennett, who was for some years 
employed in the Civil Service, directed his attention to 
the subject, and published in 1830 some portions of a 
projected work on the marine fishes of the island \ but 
it never proceeded beyond the description of thirty in- 
dividuals. The great work of Cuvier and Valenciennes 2 
particularises about one hundred species, specimens 
of which were procured from Ceylon by Eeynard, Les- 
chenault and other correspondents; but of these not 
more than half a dozen belong to fresh water. 
The fishes of the coast, so far as they have been ex- 
amined, present few that are not in all probability 
common to the seas of Ceylon and India. A series of 
drawings, including upwards of six hundred species and 
varieties of Ceylon fish, all made from recently-captured 
specimens, has been submitted to Professor Huxley, and 
1 A Selection of the most Be- J. W. Bennett, Esq. London, 
marJcable and Interesting Fishes 1830. 
found on the Coast of Ceylon. By 2 Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. 
Y 2 
