Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. (IA mobot31753002848262).pdf/27

 The Catla (Catla buchanani) of India, Burma and Siam has not yet been identified in our rivers and as it attains a length of at least 6 feet and a corresponding weight, I suggest the quest of the Catla, as a sound sporting proposition, to the anglers of Kuala Lipis, and other up country stations, with a good chance of success.

EELS.

ANGUILLIDAE, MURAENIDAE, CONGRIDAE, ETC.

The Eels are placed on the Order which has several families and not less than 30 species, represented in Malayan waters. Eels are more popular perhaps with the Chinese than with any other race in Malaya. The Congers (Malong) are quite common and find a ready sale in the markets.

One eel (Thyrsoidea macrura) known as the Pampan or Pompa by the Javanese is probably the largest eel in the world and exceeds 10 feet in length. It has been found in the shallow seas and estuaries, and even rivers, of Sumatra, New Guinea, Natal, India, Ceylon and Queensland, but has not yet been recorded by local scientists.

SWAMP-EELS.

SYMBRANCHIDAE.

The Bělut (Monopterus albus) is confined to the fresh or brackish waters of Burma, the Malay Archipelago and China.

"This eel is numerous at Chusan, in streamlets, canals, and estuaries. As it is a favourite article of food it is kept by the inhabitants of Chusan in large jars, with fresh water. But it is capable of living a considerable time out of water. It is of voracious habits, feeding on smaller fishes, and it takes hooks baited with earthworms." (Cantor).

SEA-HORSES AND SKELETON-FISHES.

(SYNGNATHIDAE & AMPHISILIDAE.)

The little Sea-Horse, Kuda-kuda laut (Hippocampus spp.), which is so like the conventional knight of the chess-board, is a familiar object in most Museums. It has, of course, no economic value.

A peculiarity of this curious family is that "the males are provided with a pouch (in some species there is only a broad groove) in which the eggs are hatched after being deposited by the female.

"The males take full charge of them, and the young remain in the pouch usually for a short time, after being hatched." (Stead).

The Skeleton-Fish, as I have called it, Amphisile scutata, is known to Malays as Ikan kĕring. It is only a few inches long and, as it has practically no flesh on its bony carcase, it has no edible value.