312 ICHTHYOLOGY. 



twenty in a cross line from the ventral to the base of the 

 dorsal fin. The fin formula is, 



D. 16: P. 13: V. 9 : A. 5 : C. 20. 



Cyprinus, Buch. 



Labeo, M'Clell. 



MORTON BARBEL. 



This is one of the most beautiful fish in the Provinces, 

 and when removed from its own element, its burnished 

 scales of green and yellow glisten and play in the sun- 

 light, like a panoply of brilliants. 



Length of the head to that of the body as one to four, 

 twenty three scales along the lateral line, and six in an 

 oblique line from the base of the ventrals to the base of 

 the spinous ray before the dorsal. The fin rays are, 

 D. 10 . P. 12 : V. 8 : A. 7 : C. 20. 



It appears to be a new species, for it is not described in 

 M'Clelland's monograph of the Indian cyprinidae, but ap- 

 proaches nearest B. hezagonolepus, from which it differs 

 materially in the scales and fin rays, and in the general 

 form and tints, as represented in M'Clelland's coloured 

 figure of that species. Though common in the southern 

 Provinces, I have never met with it at Maulmain. 



The species has been dedicated to Dr. Morton, Civil 

 Surgeon to the Tenasserim Provinces, a gentleman no 

 less distinguished for his knowledge of the natural pro- 

 ductions of this Coast, than for his urbanity, skill, and be* 

 nevolence in his profession ; and who is well acquainted 

 with the haunts of this fish at the Sacred Lakes in the vi* 

 cinity of Tavoy. 



These lakes, or reservoirs, are two small currentless 

 basins in Pagaya river, which sleep at the foot of pagoda- 

 crowned precipices from one to two hundred feet high. 

 The fish are held sacred by the Buddhists to those antique 

 pagod reliques, and come in shoals to the handfuls of rice 

 thrown them by the passing traveller, as fearless of man, 

 as of the barking deer that quaffs of their waters. 

 Barbus Mortonius , F. M. 



