CLUPEIDiE. 115 



FAMILY CLUPEIDiE. (Giinth. Cat. vol. vii.) 



This is also a large family, but differs from the 

 Cyprinidee in being essentially marine. 



There are however several species which inhabit the 

 fresh waters of India, and these I now proceed to de- 

 scribe. I will omit however many kinds, such as the 

 Hilsa fish, which, though well known as an article of 

 food in the Calcutta market, is properly a marine fish, 

 ascending the fresh waters at certain periods of the 

 year only for the purpose of spawning. 



Char, of the Family. Body covered with scales, 

 which are generally thin, and often easily detached. 

 Barbels none. 



Abdomen generally compressed into an edge which 

 is often serrated. Dorsal fin rather short. 



Adipose fin none. Anal fin often very long. 



GENUS ENGKAULIS. 



Char. Mouth very wide, upper jaw projecting. 

 Generally with small teeth in the jaws, on the vomer, 

 palatine, and pterygoid bones. 

 Gill openings extremely wide. 

 Dorsal rays about 14. 



1. Engraulis purava. 



Hab. This fish is sometimes found in fresh-water 

 tanks and rivers, but never at any great distance from 

 the sea. " It grows to about a foot in length, is so 

 full of bones as to be little valued, and, like many 



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