OPHICEPHALUS. OPHICEPHALUS, 



Generic Character. 



Caput squamis difTormibus 



tectum. 

 Corpus elongatum* 



Head coated with dissimilar 



scales. 

 Body elongated. 



PUNCTATED OPHICEPHALUS. 



Ophicephalus Punctatus. 0. nigricans, subtus pallidior, capite 



poroso, corpore nigro-punctulato. 

 Dusky Ophicephalus, paler beneath, with the head pierced by 



pores, and the body speckled with black points, 

 Ophicephalus punctatus. Block, t. 358. 



LiENGTH about ten inches: dorsal fin com- 

 mencing at no great distance from the head, and 

 continued nearly to the tail: it is of moderate 

 breadth, and of a dusky colour spotted with black ; 

 anal fin of similar shape and colour : tail rounded : 

 pectoral fins rounded, and of moderate size : ventral 

 smaller: scales rather large; those on the head 

 dissimilar, viz. on the upper part angular, as in 

 snakes : on the sides ovate or rounded : lateral line 

 nearly strait. Native of India, inhabiting rivers 

 and lakes, and is considered as a delicate and whole- 

 some food. 



V. IV. P. IT. 



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