cyprinid^. 75 



GENUS OBEINUS, " Mountain barbels." 



These fishes are found in mountain streams, they 

 have a silvery appearance, and are covered with very 

 small scales. The dorsal fin has usually a very strong 

 bony ray toothed interiorly. Dorsal rays 11. Anal 

 8. Barbels 4. 



Char. Mouth transverse, on the lower surface of 

 the snout. Margin of the lower jaw covered with a 

 thick horny layer with a sharp edge. A broad fringed 

 lower lip with a free posterior edge. 



The anal fin and the vent, are contained in a sheath 

 which is covered with enlarged tiled scales. 



1. Oreinus plagiostomus. 



Hab. Punjab, Cashmere, and Afghanistan. 



Scales about 156, counting just above the lateral 

 line ; they are very irregular and difficult to count ; on 

 the lateral line itself they seem to run one into another, 

 and thus appear larger than on the rest of the body ; 

 below, from the ventral fins forwards, they disappear 

 altogether beneath the skin, which is thick and tough. 

 These fish may be caught with worm or paste bait, 

 and are eaten by the natives, but they are very bony 

 and of a muddy flavour. 



Char. Head contained about five times in the total 

 length. 



Margin of the lower lip straight. 



Serrature of the dorsal fin rather feeble. 



