﻿184 GANGETic FISHES. Order V. 



and separated by the lateral line, and three pale yellow stripes. 

 On each side above the pectoral fin is a large dark spot. 



The head IS very blunt, of moderate size, and half oval, slop- 

 ing much more above than below. It is covered above by a 

 bone, waved irregularly with many lines, and having a long 

 hollow between the eyes. This bone terminates behind in 

 three long processes ; one in the centre, reaching up the back 

 to the first fin, and one on each side, extending to the shoul- 

 der-bone, and ending in a point turned backward. The two 

 tendrils, from between the nostrils, are much shorter than the 

 head ; the two intermediate ones from the chin extend to the 

 end of the gill-covers ; the two outer ones from under the 

 chin extend a little farther ; and the two from the upper jaw 

 reach to the end of the tail. The mouih is below, and a little 

 behind the end of the nose, is of a moderate size, and extends 

 straight back. The upper jaw has a membranous veil behind 

 the feeih, which, in each jaw, are minute and granular. Tiie 

 tongue is blunt, and tied down. The foremost aperture of 

 each nostril is tubular, the other is nearly in the middle, be- 

 tween the jaw and eye. The eyes are small, round, and high. 

 The gill-covers end in a point, are naked, and waved with lines, 

 and each consists of one plate. Their membranes are exposed 

 to view, and thick, each containing about six rays. There is a 

 slit under the throat. • 



The back slopes, in the same line with the head, to the first 

 fin ; on each side of this is a small bony plate. The shoxdder- 

 bone is naked, and ends in a point. The lateral line runs 

 straight alons the middle of the side. The vent is behind the 

 middle. 



The foremost dorsal fin slopes gradually back, and its first 

 ray is a short sharp prickle, smooth on both edges ; the others 

 are branched. The hinder fin is longer than that behind the 



