V 
( 216 ) 
there are rows of dark dots on the sides. It swims in small shoals, the eyes only 
showing above water ; and, as it takes no kind of bait, it must be shot with 
small shot, a boat being handy to retrieve it as it is apt to sink immediately it is 
killed. The natives spear it. It is one of the most delicious of Indian fish, and 
should be cooked as soon as possible after it leaves the water. It is excellent 
smoked. 
THE PUFTA. 
Callichrons bimaculatus. Native names : Pufta, or Pursa , Hind, and Beng. 
Habitat.—Throughout India. 
Description .—Length up to 10 inches. No adipose fin ; dorsal very short. 
Barbels four. Lower jaw projects beyond the upper. Eye behind and partly 
below the cleft of the mouth. There are eight varieties of the Pufta, most of 
them good fly takers. It is a rich, fine flavoured fish. 
THE MURRUL. 
Opheocephcdus Marulius. Indian names: Murrul , Hind. ; Bora , Bhutan ; 
Sowlee, Ooriya; Bhangon, Beng.; Ckarkoor, Sindh; Choaree Veral , Burra 
