﻿232 GANGETic FISHES. Order V. 



4th Species. — Polynemus toposui. 



A Polynemus with seven detached rajs below each pectoral 

 fin, the first being the longest, and being more than twice the 

 length of the body ; with seven prickles in the fore fin of the 

 back, and sixteen rays in the hinder ; with the same number 

 in the fin behind the vent ; and with a green back and silver 

 belly. 



This kind of Mango fish I found in one of the middle estua- 

 ries of the Ganges in the rainy season. The name Toposwi, 

 which, in the Hindustany dialect, is given to this, as well as to 

 the other kinds, and which Dr Russell writes Tupsee, is deriv- 

 ed from the supposed resemblance of the fish to an hermit, the 

 long rays near the pectoral fins having some appearance of the 

 long matted hair and beard by which hermits and other pre- 

 tended saints distinguish themselves irom the profane. The 

 species which I am now describing, besides the circumstances 

 mentioned in the specific character, differs from the Risua in 

 the following particulars. 



The sides are faintly marked with blackish longitudinal 

 stripes ; the head and the fins on the breast are stained with 

 red. Each pectoral fin has sixteen rays. The four first rays of 

 the fin behind the vent are undivided. 



5th Species. — Polynemus aureus. 



A Polynemus with seven detached rays below each pectoral 

 fin, the longest exceeding the body by more than twice its 

 length ; with seven prickles in the fore back fin, and fifteen rays 

 in the hinder ; with fourteen rays in the fin behind the vent ; 

 and with the whole colour of a golden yellow, tinged on the up- 

 per parts with dusky. 



This Mango fish I found below Calcutta in the cold season. 

 It differs from the Polynemus Risua in colour, and in the num- 



