INDIAN CYPRINID#. 951 
Loaches the caudal is barred and otherwise ornamented, while that of every 
other species in the same family is perfectly plain.* 
Next as to soft appendages to the head, the Loaches surpass every other 
group in the same family in the number and uniformity of these appendages ; 
and lastly, the Loaches and Schisture@ present the very extraordinary rela- 
tion to the tribe of ruminants, and especially to the Cervide, or stags, in 
having articulated to the orbitar process of the frontal bone on either side, 
a formidable horn which can be raised at pleasure from a suborbitar sinus 
‘analogous to the suborbitar sinus in Antelopes, the use of which in them 
is conjectural. The horn which is concealed in this sinus in the Loaches, 
appears to be equivalent to the suborbitar chain in the Perch, and to the 
corresponding plates in the ordinary Cyprinide; it is somewhat flattened 
or palmated, as in many of the Deer tribe, ending in a sharp point which is 
directed forward; on the anterior margin and near the base of the horn 
a strong antler is given off, this is also very sharp, and turned forward like the 
point of the horn itself. 
49. I have shown that Cyprind@ is a natural group, that it is circular} 
in its affinities, that for instance in setting out from the Gonorhynchs we 
* This as well as all similar analogies afforded by the structure of Cyprinidae were developed 
in the course of my examination of species before I had ventured to form any general views 
on the subject, and even before I had studied those of Mr. Macleay, or perused the works of 
Mr. Swainson, which have taught me the importance of characters which although noted, I felt 
totally at a loss how to use. 
+“ They might as well be called oval or square.” ‘““ Why not linear?” The researches of zoolo- 
gists during the last twenty years have fortunately left me nothing original to say in reply to this 
criticism, which perhaps deserves notice as coming from a member of the Committee of 
Papers, Mr. C—. Speaking of describing natural objects in the order in which they succeed each 
