1848.] 



Fishes of Southern India. 



149 



tant two diameters from each other. D. 6—^, Sec, &c.' The colors of 

 our fish are nearly uniform fulvous, with "occasionally some dark 

 markings on the back; and the second dorsal and caudal fins spotted. 

 I procured it from the vicinity of Madras, where however it is rare, 

 and also from streams in Malabar, where it is by no means uncom- 

 mon near the mountains, and there completely replaces G. IcoJiius 

 of the lower parts of the district. I have seen it nearly 8 inches long. 

 Colonel Sykes has a Gohius kurpah of which he says, " 7 rays in 

 first dorsal, II in the second, which is of similar size with the anal 

 fin, 19 in the pectoral, and 10 in the anal fin." It is impossible from 

 these few details to decide whether this be a distinct species, or to 

 be referred to some of those described. 



Gen. Eleotris. 



Ventral fins not united ; eyes remote ; six branchial rays. 

 Eleotris nigra, Q. and G. 



Scales small, 65 along the body, and 22 or 23 in its depth; body, 

 broad in front, and compressed behind ; its depth one-fifih of its total 

 length. D. 6 — 9. A. 1 — 8. Color very variable, usually yellowish 

 above, dark on the sides and beneath, each scale marked with black; 

 fins yellowish, the rays finely barred ; cheeks and opercula dark with 

 pale markings ; 3 to 4 inches long. 



I have not seen this Gobioid fish in the Carnatic. It is very com- 

 mon in Malabar in ditches and tanks, concealing itself under stones, 

 and among weeds ; and remaining for hours motionless. Its move- 

 ments are very slow, and it is very fond of fixing itself vertically to 

 the side of a tub or vase (in which it may be confined) with its head 

 downwards. It has the faculty of changing its colors, at times be- 

 coming nearly black, at other times marbled ; and usually with a 

 strong line of demarcation between the tint of the back and sides. 

 Its nostrils are tubular and exserted. It appears widely spread, be- 

 ing found in the Ganges, at Bombay, Java, Waigion, Society Isles, 

 Madagascar, and the Mauritius, at which place it is named Vendor- 

 mi and Cabot noir. 



