N0T0PTERIM1. 121 



FAMILY NOTOPTEKIDiE. (Gimth. Cat. vol. vii.) 



This family includes only one genus, containing a 

 few species only, of which two are found in India, 

 and the others in the islands of the East Indian 

 Archipelago and in West Africa. They have some 

 affinity to the Clupeida?, but are only found in fresh 

 water. 



Char, Head and body scaly c Barbels none. 



Adipose fin none. Tail tapering. 



GENUS NOTOPTEKTTS. 



Body much compressed. Abdomen with a double 

 serrature. Scales very small. Lateral line distinct. 



Both jaws with a narrow band or series of small 

 teeth, unequal in size, bands of teeth on the vomer, 

 palatine, and pterygoid bones, and on the sphenoid ; 

 two series of teeth on the tongue. Some of the bones 

 of the head serrated. Anal fin very long and united 

 with the caudal. Dorsal fin very short. Ventrals 

 united or wanting. 



1. Notopterus chitala. 



Hab. Throughout India, rivers and tanks. Attain- 

 ing according to Dr. Day, several feet in length. 



Char. The upper profile of the the head concave. 



Dorsal rays 8 to 10. Anal 110 to 125. Scales 180. 



Sometimes marked with dark crossbands on the 

 back, and with some round black occellatcd spots 

 along the lower part of the tail. 



