﻿Chanda. gangetic fishes. 103 



lower parts they are smaller and indented. Above each ven- 

 tral fin is a very large scale-like appendant ending in a sharp 

 point. 



There is only one dorsal fin placed far back, and covered 

 half way up with scales. Its edge forms an arch deeply indent- 

 ed on the fore part, the membranes intervening between the 

 prickles extending to the point of the prickle before, and only 

 to about the middle of that behind. The prickles are strong, 

 and the last of the soft rays is very deeply divided. The pec- 

 toral fins are very short and sharp above, each containino- 

 twelve rays, of which the fir.t and last are undivided. The 

 ventral fins are small, and placed so near each other as almost 

 to unite. They are indented, the edge of each membrane 

 forming a concavity. The prickle in each is strong, and al- 

 most as long as the divided rays. The edge of the fin behind 

 the vent, which is covered with a scaly skin, forms an arch in- 

 dented at the prickles, which are strong. The tail fin is blunt 

 at both extremities, with a concave edge between, and contains 

 seventeen distinct rays, besides some short compacted ones at 

 each side. 



VIII. Genus — Chanda. 



Fishes of the fourth order, with sharp teeth scattered in 

 both jaws, with some of the bones of the head distinctly in- 

 dented on the edge ; with prickles in some of the fins j and 

 with bodies more or less diaphanous, and much compress- 

 ed, the sides being nearly perpendicular. 



The fishes of this genus are all very small and of little value, 

 although in many places abundant, and used in considerable 

 quantities ; but as food they are insipid, and filled with small 

 bones, for which defects their size does not compensate. 

 They form a very natural arrangement, and the first has the 



