CYPRINIDiE. 41 



A. Species with four Barbels. 

 Those we may further subdivide, according as the 

 first long ray of the dorsal fin is (a) strong and bony ; 

 (b) serrated on the inner edge ; or (c) feeble and flexible. 



(a) Principal ray of the dorsal fin osseous and strong. 



1. Barbus mosal. The Mahaseer. 



This fish is to be found generally throughout India 

 in rapid streams and deep pools, not far from hilly 

 regions. 



It is the fish best known to the Indian sportsman, 

 as it grows to a large size, and will take a bait well ; 

 it has been known to exceed a hundred pounds in 

 weight. It affords good sport, and fights gamely 

 when hooked. Neither is it to be despised when on 

 the table. So much has been written by various 

 authors on the subject of the Mahaseer, that I need 

 not here pause to describe its habits.* 



Under the name of Barbus mosal I have included 

 several varieties, which may perhaps deserve to be 

 reckoned as distinct species. 



There seem, however, as yet, to have been no suffi- 

 cient differences pointed out by which to identify each 

 variety separately with any amount of certainty, as 

 they merge one into another, and show considerable 

 variation among themselves. I have preferred there- 

 fore to place them all under one name, which includes 

 the following varieties : — 



* A most useful and interesting work on this subject, entitled ' The 

 Rod in India* by H. S. Thomas, of the Madras Civil Service, was 

 published at Mangalore in 187 3. 



