﻿230 GANGETic FISHES. Order V. 



that the Polynemus paradiseus is found in the Brazils, West In- 

 dia Islands, and Carolina. 



The number of rays in the fins given by La Cepede (Hist, 

 des Poissons, Tome V. page 411) to the Polynemus paradiseus, 

 differs from that found in all the Mango fishes which 1 have 

 seen ; and especially, he states the number of prickles in the 

 fore fin of its back to be eight. Now, with us, these prickles 

 are only seven in number ; and the number of these prickles is 

 both usually better defined, and less liable to variation, than 

 the number of soft and divided rays. He describes the colour 

 as green and silver. 



In the figure oiihe Polynemus paradiseus given by Bloch, [Ichth. 

 Tome XII. page 20, PI. CCCCII.) the filaments reach scarce- 

 ly to the vent ; and he states, that the fish grows to a consider- 

 able size, which is never the case with diny Mango fish in India. 

 The colour, as described by this author, is green and silver. 



All our Mango fishes are found throughout the year in the 

 salt-water estuaries of the Ganges ; but in spring, when they 

 spawn, they ascend to the fresh water, never farther, however, 

 so far as I know, than the tides reach. I have not seen any 

 above nine inches in length, and their more common size is 

 about half a foot. 



The Mango fish, called Risua, (I believe from Rishi, a kind 

 of holy person,) I found in the vicinity of Lukhipur. It is of 

 a long compressed form, of a green colour on the back, and 

 silver on the sides and belly, with a gloss changing from gold 

 to purple. The fins are pale yellow, and those on the back are 

 dotted with black. 



The head is blunt, scarcely at all compressed, and covered 

 with scales, even on the throat. The jaws protrude in opening. 

 The upper is the longest, and has a notch at the end, while the 

 under one is sharp-pointed. On each side of the throat are two 

 bones covered with teeth, the upper oval, the under triangular. 



