CYPRINLD^]. 105 



Barbels very small, the two rostral pairs beneath 

 the end of the snont. 



Colour dark brown, with darker blotches. 



2. Homaloptera brucei. 



Hab. Southern India. 3^ inches. 



Char. Scales 70? 



Snont broad and depressed, with the margin obtnse. 



Eostral barbels short, on the edge of the snout ; 

 the pair at the corners of the month rather bigger. 



Colour dull olive, yellowish below. Body with 

 large brown blotches. 



The next, and last, group of the family Cypri nidge, 

 are the Cobitidina, or Loaches. 



They might almost deserve to be ranked as a 

 separate family, but the line of demarcation is so 

 faintly denned, that they have been included in the 

 family of the Cyprinidse. The most distinctive pecu- 

 liarity among them lies in the air-bladder, which is 

 partially, or entirely, enclosed in a bony capsule. 



They live altogether at the bottom of the water, 

 and many of them bury themselves in sand or 

 mud. They are generally small, and of no great 

 importance, or interest, although the species inhabit- 

 ing Indian fresh waters are numerous. 



It will suffice therefore to give a list of the various 

 species as yet known, without entering into any 

 detailed descripton. 



Char. Mouth surrounded by six, or more, 

 barbels. Anal fin short. Scales small, or rudimen- 

 tary, or wanting altogether. 



