112 
INDIAN FRESH-WATER FISHES. 
GENUS LEPIDOCEPHALICHTHYS. 
Char. Barbels eight. A double erectile spine 
beneath each eye. Caudal fin square cut. Dorsal 
fin nearly opposite the ventrals. The inner 
ray of the pectoral fin, in the adult male, is often 
modified into a flat spine, tins is made use of to assist 
the fish in diving down into the mud, though this is 
probably not the primary object of this formation. 
1. Lepiclocephalichthys thermalis. 
Hab. Southern India. 
Char. Origin of the dorsal fin in advance of the 
ventrals. 
Colour sandy, with irregular blotches along the 
lateral line, and others on the back. Caudal fin 
banded. 
2. Lepidocephalichthys balgara. 
Hab. India generally. 
Char. Dorsal fin not in advance of the ventrals. 
Back and sides irregularly mottled with brown. 
GENUS BOTIA. 
Char. Barbels six, or eight. A double erectile 
spine beneath each eye. Caudal fin forked. 
Dorsal fin in advance of the ventrals. 
1. Botia dario. 
IIab. Northern India. 
Char. Barbels 8. Dorsal rays 13. 
Seven or eight broad brown bands, passing obliquely 
across the body ; ground colour yellow or white. 
