CEAPTEE Y. 



DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SPECIES AND GENERA INHABITING 

 THE FRESH WATERS OF THE INDIAN CONTINENT. 



In these descriptions I shall not altogether follow 

 the order of sequence observed in strictly scientific 

 works, bnt I shall attempt to describe first snch fishes 

 as are most commonly met with, and most easily pro- 

 cured for purposes of identification. It will be found 

 that when once acquaintance has been formed with the 

 peculiarities of a few species, it becomes much easier 

 to recognise any other kinds, and to hit off at once the 

 points of difference or resemblance they may possess. 



Neither shall I attempt to give a full scientific de- 

 scription of each species, for such as wish to devote 

 much time to the study more ambitious works are 

 procurable. My aim will be to indicate some one or 

 more peculiarities of each species by which it may be 

 quickly identified, preferably such outward peculiari- 

 ties as the number of the scales, or of the fin rays, and 



