48 
PISCES THORACIGI. OPHICEPHALUS. 
between which are nearly of the same colour with the abdomen and under part of the tail, viz. a dull reddish- 
white. The fins not so black as the back; the ventral alone are light coloured. 
The length of the subject described, sixteen inches. 
REMARKS. 
The Ophicephalus was not known to Linnmus, nor is it found in Gmelin’s edition of the Systema Naturae. 
From specimens received from Tranquebar, the new genus was formed by Bloch, from whom I have bor¬ 
rowed the Generic Character. 
No. CLXIII. 
Ophicephalus corpore oblongo , squcimis magnis , rotimdis, punctatis ; linea laterali infracta ; 
pinnis pecloralibus caucLeque rotwidatis cum acumine. 
The Ophicephalus with an oblong body, large, rounded, dotted scales; the lateral line 
infracted; the pectoral fins, and the caudal round, with a small point. 
Ophicephalus punctatus Bloch. Part x. p. 117. Tab. 35 8. 
Called by the Natives Sowarah. 
B. v. D. 45 . P. 17. V. 6. A. 26. C. 1 4. 
The body. This fish in shape differs from the last. It is rather oblong than lanceolate, rounder at the shoul¬ 
ders, more compressed near the tail, and bends from the anus gently upward to the end of the anal fin. The 
scales are larger, orbicular, and all, except on the abdomen, marked with a cluster of small black dots on the 
anterior part. The body, as in the former fish, lubricous. 
The head. There is little difference in the shape of the head; but the scales on the crown are here only 
larger than those on the trunk, of the same form, and imbricate. The marginal row of teeth more complete. 
The tubuli on the edge of the rostrum less conspicuous. The mouth, tongue, palate, eyes, nostrils, and 
branchial membrane; the branchiae, lateral line, and position of the anus, as already described in the Muttah. 
The first lamina of the operculum obtusely angular, the second acuminate. 
The fins. The dorsal and anal are alike in both fish, except the want of a spine in the latter fin; the pec¬ 
toral and caudal are pointed as well as round; the ventral more obtuse, and proportionally longer. 
The colour less dusky, with an obscure tinge of green. A regular row of angular marks, of a colour lighter 
than that of the back, forms a denticulate border to the lateral line, from its infraction to its end. Beneath 
these the colour is a yellowish white. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, with a greenish cast, are less dusky 
than the back; the pectoral and ventral of a yellowish dusky white. 
The length, one foot six inches. 
REMARKS. 
This fish was brought in the month of July, in ajar of water, from the lake of Ankapilly, and lived several 
days. They survive many hours even out of water. 
