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Show 1870.] SURGEON F. DAY ON ANDAMAN-ISLAND FISHES. 677 morei was to that of the Irrawaddy. The author finally repeated the statements, as regards the synonymy of this species, which he had published already in Journ. Linn. Soc. Zool. vol. x. p. 16, and in his Catalogue before referred to. The following papers were read : - 1. On the Fishes of the Andaman Islands. By F R A N C I S D A Y , F.Z.S. & F.L.S. Having been directed by the Government of India to examine into and report upon the capabilities of the fisheries of the Andaman Islands, I propose detailing in the following paper the result of my investigations into the ichthyology of that penal settlement *. These rocky islands are surrounded to a great extent by coral reefs, whilst the waters are beautifully clear, except during the stormy months of the year. The inquirer is consequently enabled with the greatest facility to perceive, even at considerable depths, the movements of the fishes, crustaceans, and other animals which inhabit those regions. Due most probably to this clearness of the water, the coloration of the fish is much more vivid than along the coasts of India ; and other curious results appear to be consequent on the same cause. Siluroids are very rare ; the feelers useful in muddy waters do not appear to be here required; in fact, the only situations where they were at all common were up creeks and in brackish pieces of water. Sea-snakes seemed to be entirely absent. In those inland portions of the islands investigated by us, the freshwater streams (except during the rainy seasons) are insignificant, whilst large natural tanks are unknown. The aborigines, however, assert that a fine freshwater lake exists a few days' journey inland in the South Andamans. As might be anticipated, the varieties of freshwater fishes are few. The period of the year I was at the Andamans was from December 29th, 1869, to January 24th, 1870, during which brief stay I received every assistance from the officials in procuring all the various species of fish which could be captured. I likewise went for eight days' fishing with the aborigines, when I was accompanied by Mr. Homfray, their energetic protector, and was fortunate in procuring many species at this time which I did not otherwise obtain. Even during m y brief sojourn, I observed the apparent migration of one species of fish, the beautiful Acanthurus lineatus. Linn., which was abundant on m y arrival, but could not be obtained at the period I left. I have included a few species obtained at the Nicobars by a native collector, who was kindly lent to me for that purpose by Dr. Stoliczka. * For an account of the aborigines of the Andamans, see the author's article, Trans. As. Soc. Beng. 1870. |
