﻿Cyprinus. gangetic fishes. 287 



The eyes are redder than in either of the two last species. 

 Each scale along the middle is marked with a slender longitudi- 

 nal ridge ; but the ridges forming the proper lateral lines are 

 much larger than those on the scales above or below. The back 

 is more prominent than the belly. The fin of the back slopes 

 behind with a considerable curve, and can be thrown back in a 

 deep furrow. It contains three undivided rays, as does also the 

 fin behind the vent. The fin of the tail is not so deeply divid- 

 ed as in the other two species, and ends nearly in a crescent. 

 All the fins, except the pectorals, are more or less stained with 

 black. 



IV. Division. — Cyprinus, properly so called. 



Fishes of the Cyprinus genus, without any affinity to another 

 genus ; of a large size and thick form ; devoid of spots; and 

 with the lateral lines near the middle. 



The fishes of this division, although forming a natural group, 

 have no generic appellation among the natives ; and, being the 

 best defined species, I have considered them as the prototypes 

 of the genus, and have therefore given the division no peculiar 

 name. 



Besides the marks common to the genus, and those charac- 

 teristic of the division, the only circumstance common to these 

 fishes, that I observe, is, that they all have the fin behind the 

 vent very short. 



30th Species. — Cyprinus catla. Plate XIII. Fig. 81. 



A Cyprinus proper, without tendrils ; with eighteen rays in 

 the fin of the back, and eight in that behind the vent ; with the 

 body of a dirty silver colour, having some dusky green on the 

 back ; and with the lips smooth-edged. 



The Catla is a common fish in the rivers and tanks of Ben- 



