﻿204 GANGETic FISHES. Order V. 



The Cavasius [Kavasi tenggara) is found In the larger fresh 

 water rivers of the Gangetic provinces, and grows to about six 

 inches in length. It is long in proportion to its breadth, more 

 prominent above than below, tapers gradually to both extremi- 

 ties from the commencement of the back fin, and is compress- 

 ed at the sides, especially toward the end ofthe tail, which ter- 

 minates in a notch. The upper parts are dotted, and are of a 

 brown colour, with a green gloss, changing to purple ; the low- 

 er parts are white. The form and junctions of the muscles 

 may be discerned on the skin. All the fins, except that be- 

 hind the vent, are dotted. 



The head is oval, very little compressed, bluntish, and cover- 

 ed above with a bony plate, along the centre of which is a fur- 

 row. This plate is also divided into four radiated portions, 

 the rays of the two foremost portions proceeding from their 

 hinder edge, and those of the two hinder portions pro- 

 ceeding from their centres. The plate, besides, terminates 

 behind in three narrow processes, one extending along each 

 shoulder, and one reaching to the commencement of the back 

 fin. The two tendrils from the nostrils are shorter than the 

 head ; the two from the corners of the mouth reach beyond 

 the tail, bvit not to the end of its fin ; of the four under the 

 chin, the two outer reach the ends of the pectoral fins, the two 

 inner are a little shorter. The mouth is small, and a little be- 

 low and behind the extremity of the nose. Both apertures of 

 the nostrils are nearer the jaw than the eye. The eyes are 

 large and high. The gill-covers end in a sharp point, and con- 

 ceal in part their membranes, each of which has about seven 

 rays, but, on account of the thickness of the membranes, their 

 number cannot be precisely ascertained. There is a slit under 

 the throat. 



