INDIAN CYPRINID&. 229 
lower jaw prove them to be scarcely less rapacious; yet I am not sure 
as to the accuracy of separating them from one or other of the preceding 
genera, merely on account of the size and position of the dorsal and anal fins, 
particularly as the dental hook is only of importance in distinguishing them 
from some of the Peonomine. 
90. After this outline of the structure of Sarcoborine, a few remarks 
regarding their colours will be necessary, as embracing another principle 
on which the divisions have been formed. The whole of the sub-family 
Peonomine are remarkable for their uniformly plain colours, consisting of 
olive-green, bluish-grey, or brown extended along the back, and softened 
off on the sides so as to leave the lower surface of the body an impure 
white, partaking more or less of the colours of the back. The fins partake 
of the sober hues of the adjoinimg parts of the body, the pectorals and 
ventrals, as well as the branchial membranes and irides usually displaying 
after death a slight blush of red caused by the capillary effusion of blood in 
those parts. Of the species with which I am acquainted, not one possesses a 
brilliant spot of any pure colour, but when we approach the limits of 
the next group we begin to find in the Gonorhynclis, obscure dark spots 
on either side of the tail of some of the species, as G. bimaculatus. 
21. But, on the other hand,. as soon as we cross the verge of the herbi- 
vorous group and enter the carnivorous, we find such spots as those alluded to 
become brighter and more numerous, and the opercula and fins to be stained 
with yellow and red in deep and natural tints. To Systomus, the first genus 
of this group, the Gold-fishes,* commonly called Golden Carp belong. The 
intestinal tube of the Systoms though only thrice the length of the body, or 
half the length of the abdominal tube in those herbivorous species in which it 
is shortest, is nevertheless twice the length of the same organ in any of the 
* Cyprinus auratus auctorum. 
ts 
