﻿302 GANGETic FISHES. Order V. 



blance to the Carp, (Cyprinus carpio,) which, however, it ap- 

 pears to me to excel ; and it is not only a fish of easy digestion, 

 and well flavoured, but the belly is uncommonly rich and deli- 

 cious. It abounds in the fresh water rivers of the Gangetic pro- 

 vinces, and also in those of Ava, and, in the ponds of the form- 

 er, is propagated with considerable care, being considered as 

 the most valuable fish ; although I think, that what is found in 

 the smaller and more rapid rivers is by far the best for eating. 

 Its beauty, both in form and colour, equals its value for the 

 table ; and of all fresh water fishes, so far as I have seen, it is, 

 perhaps, the most excellent. It frequently grows to three feet 

 in length, and is of a long but full made form, rather more pro- 

 minent above than below. The tail contracts suddenly at the 

 fin behind the vent. The back is of a green colour, and the bel- 

 ly silver ; but on the sides the middle of the scales is golden. 

 The eyes and all the fins, except the dorsal, are reddish. 



The head is blunt, smooth, and half oval, sloping much be- 

 low and little above. It is small, but rather wider than the body. 

 The 7iose is fleshy and blunt, is devoid of tubercles or remark- 

 able pores, and projects some way beyond the mouth, which is 

 small, and extends straight backward. At each of its corners 

 is a minute tendril. The jaws protrude in opening, the upper 

 being the longest, and having a membrane stretched across its 

 inside. The lips are fleshy, and indented on the edges witli 

 short thick processes. The tongue is tied down throughout its 

 whole length. The nostrils are nearer the eyes than the nose. 

 The eyes are high, and of a good size, and have circular pupils. 

 Each gill-cover consists of three plates, is rounded behind, and 

 does not conceal its membrane, which is thick, with flat rays. 

 The bones supporting the rays are unarmed, and their inside 

 forms a ridge. 



The back forms a regular arch to near the end of the tail. 



