﻿Cypr'mus. gangetic fishes. 305 



most entirely withdrawn into a scaly furrow. The first of its 

 rays is very short, and closely united to the second, which is un- 

 divided ; the others are branched, and the last of them divided 

 to the root. The fin of the tail is divided into two lobes, of 

 which the under is the sharpest. Both contain nineteen dis- 

 tinct rays, besides short compacted ones. 



In one specimen I found only two tendrils, with ten rays in 

 the dorsal fin, and eight in that behind the vent ; but, as it dif- 

 fered in no other particulars, and v;as considered by the fisher- 

 men as of the same species, I suppose that these circumstances 

 were owing to accident. 



42d Species. — Cyprinus tor. 



A proper Cyprinus, with eleven rays in the fin of the back, 

 (of which three are undivided,) and eight in that behind the 

 vent ; with very large scales ; with a smooth nose, and smooth- 

 edged lips ; and with reddish fins on the belly. 



This fish I found in the Mahananda river, where it grows to 

 three or four feet in length. It is of a long compressed form, 

 but considerable width, rather more prominent below than 

 above. Above its colour shines with gold and sreen, below 

 like silver. The fins have no spots, but the dorsal one is dot- 

 ted. The eyes are silver-coloured, with some dots above. 



The head is sharpish, half oval, (being flattish above,) and 

 smooth, with a protuberance between the nostrils, arising from 

 a process of the upper jaw, which passes backward under the 

 skin. There is a minute tendril at each corner of the mouth, 

 and two at the extremity of the nose. The mouth is low, and 

 extends straight backward. The jaws protrude in opening. 

 The lips are fleshy, and the lower terminates in a narrow re- 

 flected point. The nostrils are near the eyes. The eyes are 

 high, of moderate size, and have circular pupils. The gill-covers 



