200 
INDIAN FRESH-WATER FISHES. 
proper courses, in order to irrigate the fields of rice 
and other crops. 
Here the young fish thrive splendidly, but in each 
field where the water runs off, these traps are fixed. 
In consequence, hardly any of the fry can possibly 
ever reach the river again ! 
I need not further pursue this subject, as it is being 
investigated and reported upon by Dr. Day, Inspector 
General of Fisheries. 
The Cyprinidse are very prolific ; they deposit 
a great number of eggs, apparently at intervals during 
the rainy season. The Siluridse deposit fewer eggs, 
and of a large size ; in some species of the genus Arius, 
the male fish is said to carry the eggs about in 
his mouth until they are hatched. 
The Ophiocephalidse are said to pair, living 
together in holes ; the young remain with them a 
certain time in a shoal, being afterwards driven 
away by their parents to fish for themselves, or, if 
not inclined to be off quickly, are eaten up and 
disposed of by the affectionate old couple. 
Many of the Indian species are unable to live 
entirely under the surface of the water, but have 
to come to the top every now and then to take in 
a supply of air. The Labyrinthici and the Opliioce- 
phalidse have an accessory chamber connected with 
the gills which enables them to breath the pure air. 
Thus they are able to live for days without water, or 
with only a little damp grass or mud. They have to 
pay however for this advantage, for if they are kept 
