REPORT ON FISHES. PART II : SISORIDAE AND CYPRINIDAE 357 



1898. Ptychobarhiis coniroshis, .'Mcuck, Rep. Proc. Pamir HohihI. Coiiiiit., p. 37, pi. i, figs. 2 



and 3. 



1910. Ptycbobarhus conirostris, Ziigniayer, Zool. Jahrh., Abtli. Sysl.. X.\IX, pp. 291, 292. 



1935. PtycJiobarbiis conirostris, Hora and Mukerji, in Visscr's Karakonmi. I, p. 436. 



The species is represented in the collection of the Yale North India Expedition by five 

 specimens collected in June-August, 1932, from the following localities: 



Kargil : Ladak (Sta. K 88) ; ca. 8,790 ft 1 (262 mm. ; 9 ) 



Kalatse, Upper Indus : Ladak (Sta. L 6-9) ; 9,700 ft 1 (174 mm. ; 5 ) 



Spitok, Upi>er Indus: Ladak (Sta. L 17) ; ca. 10,730 ft 2 (270mm. 9 ; 250mm. S) 



Yalapuk, Upper Indus near Nyoma: Ladak (Sta. L79); ca. 13,521 ft 1 (100mm.) 



In the report on tlie fishes obtained I)y the Netherland Karakorum Expedition Hora and 

 Mukerji (up.cit.), on the authority of Mr. G. E. Ilutcliinson, stated tliat rtychobarbiis 

 is usually found in large, deep and rapid-flowing rivers and seldom in small, clear streams 

 or springs overgrown with vegetation. The above list of localities corroborates this view 

 inasmuch as all the specimens of P. conirostris collected by the Expedition come from rivers. 

 Aicock ( op. cit. ), during the Pamir Boundary Commission, collected specimens of the species, 

 both males and females, from the Yasin river at an altitude of about 8,500 feet between 

 Kashmir and the Pamirs. This adds further support to the statement that P. conirostris is 

 essentially a mountainous river form. 



The species is variable specially in regard to the size and proportions of the head and 

 the eyes. In young and half-grown specimens the diameter of the eyes is contained nearly 

 four times in the length of the head and 1.5 times in the length uf the snout; in fairly 

 grown up individuals, on tlie contrary, tiie proportions are 6.5 times and 2.5 times respec- 

 tively. The interorbital space is equal to the diameter of the eyes in young specimens, l)ut 

 in adults it is much wider, being from 1.5 to 2 times the orbital width. 



The head is slightly higher than or as high as broad. Its width is equal to tiie length 

 f tiie head behind the middle of the eyes. The length of the head is contained nearly five 

 times in the length of the body including the caudal fin. In young and half-grown indi- 

 viduals the caudal fin is almost as long as the head, but in adults it is much shorter, being 

 e(|ual to the length of the heatl behind the nostrils. In young stage the barljels are equal 

 to the orbital width, while in full-grown specimens they are twice the same. 



.\ well-developed thick fleshy appentlage is present in the axillae of the ventral fins. 

 In Scliizopygopsis stoUcsIcae this structure is poorly developed, while in Diptyclnis nuiciilatus 

 it is hardly present. The .scales on the chest are considerably reducetl. 



The colouration of the specimens in alcohol is pale brown with a silvery sheen. The 

 upper half of the body, the head and the back are comparatively dark. The upper surface 

 of the head is spotted with black. The back and the upper half of the body are somewhat 

 irregularly marked with black patches which give the fish a characteristic maculated appear- 

 ance. In young and half-grown sinH'imens these markings show a tendency to form reticu- 

 lations, while in adult iixlividuals the)' represent series of small stars. All the lins are marked 

 with black sjjots and small blotches. 



Sc.viKil J>iiiiorpltis)n: h'rom an examination of the specimens of P. coniroslris taken 

 b\' him ,it the ^'asin river, Alcock {i)p.cit.) observed that the females "are singular in having 



o 



