﻿206 GANGETic FISHES. Order V. 



It is very long in proportio7i to its breadth, and rather more 

 prominent above than below ; very slightly compressed before, 

 but more so behind. It tapers gradually from the commence- 

 ment of the back fin to both extremities ; but the tail tapers 

 somewhat suddenly at the fin behind the vent, and then en- 

 larges toward the end, where it forms two blunt lobes. The 

 colour above is purplish brown, the sides have a tinge of green, 

 and below is white, with a silver gloss on the sides of the bel- 

 ly. The back fins are dotted with black, and, near the end of 

 the hinder one, there is a fine round black spot. The lower 

 lobe of the tail fin is stained with black and yellow. 



The head is very blunt, long, oval, flat, and rather wider than 

 the body. Above it is covered by a bony plate, roughened 

 with little lines, which, behind each eye, diverge from a com- 

 mon centre, but, in other parts, are irregularly disposed. It has 

 on its middle a longitudinal furrow, with a ridge from each eye 

 to the nostril, with three short processes on each side, and a long 

 narrow one extending up the back. The two tendrils from the 

 nostrils are much shorter than the head. The two from the up- 

 per jaw extend to about the middle of the tail fin. Of the four 

 under the chin, the two outer extend to the extremity of the 

 gill-covers, and the two inner are a little shorter. The mouth is 

 behind and below the extremity of the nose, extends straight 

 back, and is large. The lips are fleshy. The teeth, both in the 

 jaws and palate, are minute, sharp, and crowded. The tongue is 

 smooth, and tied down. On the fore part of the palate is a cres- 

 cent-shaped bone, covered with teeth, as are the four bones at 

 the throat ; those above are oblong ; those below are parallel to 

 each other. The foremost aperture of each nostril is tubular, 

 and close to the jaw ; the hindermost is circular, and nearer the 

 jaw than the eye. The eyes are high and of a moderate size. 

 The gill-covers consist of two pktes, and are sharp behind. 



