﻿162 G-ANGETic FISHES. Order V. 



fore, and sharp teeth behind ; there are besides seven branch- 

 ed rays ; but the two last approach near each other at their 

 root. The hinder fin is far back, and oval, with its widest end 

 most remote from the body. The pectoral fins are low, sharp 

 above, and rather shorter than the head ; each contains four- 

 teen rays, of which the first is a prickle like that on the back. 

 The ventral fins are still shorter than the pectorals, and are re- 

 mote from each other ; each has six rays, of which the first is 

 undivided. The fin behind the vent ends at the back in a sharp 

 point, and slopes very gradually from the fifth ray, which is 

 the longest, those before it shortening very quickly, and like 

 it being undivided, while the other thirty-six are branched. 

 The fin of the tail is somewhat triangular, with the end like a 

 crescent. It contains seventeen distinct rays, besides several 

 short compacted ones on each side. 



2d Species. — Pimelodus chandramara. 



A Pimelodus with two tendrils, and a diaphanous body. 



This little fish, which seldom exceeds an inch and a half in 

 length, I found in the Atreyi river. It has some affinity to 

 the Pimelodus gutlatus of La Cepede, {Hist, des Poissons, Tome 

 V. p. 96.) It is of a long form, flattened at the sides, and has 

 a prominent belly. Except where the viscera are enclosed by 

 a shining silver coloured membrane, and along the spine, which 

 is blackish, it is every where diaphanous, here and there mark- 

 ed with clusters of black dots ; and on each side is a golden 

 stripe accompanying the lateral line. 



The head is blunt, of a moderate size, and smooth. The 

 tendrils are so minute as to be scarcely visible without a lens ; 

 but one proceeds from each corner of the mouth, and is short- 

 er than the head. The ei/es are large and protuberant. The 

 gill-covers leave exposed their membranes, which contain rays, 



