146 On the Fresh Water [No. S4, 



Ophicephalus fuscus. Ouv. and Valem. 



Head and cheeks more swollen out than the last. D. 35 or 36. 

 A. 22. From Bengal and Mysore, 6 inches long. I have not seen 

 this species myself, to my knowledge at least, for I may have very 

 easily passed it over. 



Ophicephalus striatus, Bloch. 

 0. Chena and C. Sola, Ham. Buch. 



Head depressed rounded in front, D. 40 to 45, A. 26--27. Colorfs, 

 dusky green above, white beneath, with bars of the former color ex- 

 tending into the white of the lower parts. Belly often spotted ; fins 

 sometimes uniform in tint, at other times barred and spotted. 



This fish is the Kora of the Telingas, and the Vardu of the Ta- 

 muls. It abounds in all large rivers and tanks, and is highly es- 

 teemed both by Natives and Europeans, and as it is the only good 

 fish to be procured at many inland stations is much sought after. It 

 attains a large size. I have seen it nearly 3 feet long. It is very vo- 

 racious, and is easily taken with a frog or small fish as a bait. 



Ophicephalus marulius. Buch, 



Head more compressed than in the others of this genus. D. 52 to 

 56-, A. 31 to 35. Colors greenish above, white beneath. Dorsal and 

 anal fins fine green, dotted with white spots ; body sometimes simi- 

 larly white spotted. Attains the length of 3 feet and more. I have 

 seen this very fine fish only in large rivers. It is most excellent 

 eating. I think that Sykes' O. leucopunctaius ^ described as having 

 51 to 53 rays in the dorsal fin, must be identical with this species, 

 which is said by Buchanan to be found in every part of India. 



I may here state that Poly acanthus cupanus. C. V. another fish 

 belonging to this family-— is only found, that I am aware of, in back- 

 waters and rivers within the influence of the tides. It must be hand- 

 led with caution, for the spines of its fins inflict a most severe burn- 

 ing pain which lasts for two or three hours. 



Fam. Scombekid^ — ? 



Sub. Fam. JSTotacanthince. Swainson. 



Body anguilliform, compressed ; dorsal and anal long, and close 

 to the caudal ; a series of detached spines in front of the dorsal fin ; 

 snout lengthened. 



