﻿2 GANGETic FISHES. Order I. 



of the tide. In these upper parts of the river's course, and it is 

 found also in the estuaries, the species most common has a 

 strong resemblance to the Raia lymma ; has nearly the same 

 manners with the Raia aquila, and inflicts very dangerous 

 wounds with the spine on its tail. It is, however, a very com- 

 mon fish, in the markets of Patna especially, and is not mate- 

 rially different in taste from a small skate or maiden ray, [Raia 

 batis.) I always deferred taking a description, until I had an 

 opportunity of having it drawn, and that opportunity never 

 occurred. I cannot, therefore, give its specific character. 



2d Species. — Haia sancur. 



A raia with blunt teeth ; with the body and tail unarmed, 

 the latter provided with a fin ; and with the head ending be- 

 fore in the segment of a circle. 



The drawing of this fish was commenced, but never finish- 

 ed. It is common in the estuaries of the Ganges, both in fresh 

 and salt water ; but I have not seen it above where the tide 

 reaches. It grows to nearly the same size with the skate, [Raia 

 batis,) and for the table has nearly the same qualities. Ex- 

 cept in wanting the prickle on the tail, it has a strong resem- 

 blance to the first species. 



The shape of the whole animal, including the fins, approaches 

 that of a rhomb, the pectoral fins forming an angle near the 

 centre of the body. Independent of the fins, the body is ob- 

 long, and thicker, in proportion to its size, than that of the 

 skate. The colour is an ugly dark brown above, and white be- 

 neath. 



The head terminates in a blunt soft smooth snout. Near 

 this are the eyes, which are large ; and immediately behind 

 each is a large triangular aperture, analogous, I presume, to 

 our ear. The mouth is not large. The upper lip is a fleshy 



