FISHES — OYPRINIDAE — POGONICTH VS COMMUN IS, 



247 



This species is allied to P. inaequilohus ; it is, however, distinct from the latter by the struc- 

 ture of the caudal, which is equilobed like that of P. symmetricus. The head is contained five 

 times in the total length, which, in the specimen before us, is about three inches and three 

 quarters. The eye is large, sub-elliptical, and its horizontal diameter contained a little over 

 three times in the length of the side of the head. The body is compressed, regularly fusiform 

 in its outline. The insertion of the ventrals is situated somewhat behind the anterior margin 

 of the dorsal. The pectorals and ventrals are rather small. 



D 1, 9 ; A 2, 8 ; C 6, 1, 9, 8, 1, 5 ; V 1, 9 ; P 16. 



The scales are moderate sized, as deep as long, anteriorly sub-truncated, posteriorly rounded, 

 with radiating grooves upon their posterior section only. The lateral line is conspicuous and 

 slightly bent downwards upon the abdomen. 



The dorsal region is rufous brown ; the sides and belly being shining silvery. Minute 

 blackish dots are scattered all over, more densely on the dorsal region. A double series of these 

 spots may be traced along the course of the lateral line. The dorsal and caudal fins are greyish 

 yellow ; the pectorals, ventrals, and anal, light yellow. 



List of specimens. 



4. POGONICHTHYS COMMUNIS, Grd. 

 Plate LV. 



Spec Char.- — Head forming a little less than the fifth of the total length, its upper surface is quite depressed in the adult. 

 Snout rounded, depressed, and quite protruding. Gape of mouth nearly horizontal ; lower jaw shorter ihan the upper. Poste- 

 rior extremity of the maxillary e.xtending to a vertical line drawn in front of the orbit. Anterior margin of dorsal fin much 

 nearer the extremity of the snout than the base of the caudal. Insertion of ventrals placed somewhat posteriorly to the anterior 

 margin of the dorsal , their anterior basal edge being nearer the tip of the snout than the insertion of the caudal. Lobes of caudal fin 

 equally developed. Reddish grey above ; whitish or yellowish beneath, with metallic reflects. Fins yellowish olive. 



Stn.' — Pogonichthys communis, Grd. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VIII, 1856, 188. 



This species is the most characteristic of the genus, by its small and flattened head and the 

 large scales which cover the body. The mouth is larger in proportion than in any of its con- 

 geners ; in large sjjecimens the snout overlaps entirely the lower jaw, in which respect it 

 resembles Gila elegans most remarkably. The barbel at the angle of the mouth is very 

 conspicuous. The eye is rather small and circular ; its diameter entering about seven times in 

 the length of the side of the head. The fins are all well developed ; the external rays of the 

 pectorals extend beyond the usual termination of these fins in other species ; their posterior edge 

 being falciform. 



D 2, 8 + 1 ; A 2, 8 + 1 ; C 7, 1, 9, 8, 1, 8 ; V 1, 8 ; P 18. 



The scales are large, somewhat longer than deep, except in the lateral line, where they appear 

 to be as deep as long. They are anteriorly sub-truncated, posteriorly rounded, provided with 

 radiating iurrows upon their posterior section only. 



