﻿Ageneiosus. gangetic fishes. 159 



The tail fin is divided into, two sharp lobes, of which the under 

 is the longest, and contains sixteen distinct rays, besides many 

 sniall compacted ones. 



VI. Genus. — Ageneiosus. 

 Fishes of the fifth order, with a smooth slimy skin, destitute 

 of scales ; with the mouth devoid of tendrils ; and with two fins 

 on the back, the hinder one having no rays. 



1st Species. — Ageneiosus mino. 



An Ageneiosus with eight rays in the back fin, and twenty-one 

 in that behind the vent. 



This fish is found in the upper part of the estuaries, that 

 is, where the water possesses little or no saltness. It grows to 

 about a foot and a half in length, and by the natives is consider- 

 ed good to eat. Its lower part is silver coloured ; its upper 

 parts green, changing to purple ; but all its colours are lurid. 

 In proportion to its breadth it is very long, and is but little 

 compressed on the sides. 



The head is of a moderate size, flattened above, blunt, and 

 smooth ; but the bone on the upper part is almost bare, and on 

 its middle is a long deep furrow. On the nape is a bone mark- 

 ed with lines. The under jaw is the longest. The mouth is 

 very large, and extends straight back from the extremity of the 

 nose. The lips are fleshy, and, towards the corners, are re- 

 flected. The teeth in both jaws, and in a belt parallel to each 

 side of the upper one, are crowded, conical, and blunt. Both 

 apertures of the nostrils are circular. The eyes are far forward 

 on the sides of the head, and their longest axis is horizontal, 

 while that of their pupils is vertical. The covers of the gills are 

 rounded behind, and do not conceal their membranes^ each of 

 which contains five rays. There is no slit under the lower jaw. 



