A palopterine. INDIAN CYPRINID&. 423 
sides crossed with green bars, dorsal opposite to the ventrals, contains nine 
rays and is preceded by a short detached spinous ray ; the first rays of the 
pectorals separated by a broad expanse of the membrane of the fin. 
The alimentary canal of this curious species is long and convoluted in 
circles round the cavity of the abdomen ; the coats of the stomach and intestines 
are soft, so as to separate on the slightest touch of the forceps, and the contents 
are dark coloured ; the air-vessel is long, and divided into two cells, the first 
small and globular, the posterior cell long, and conical. Although there is 
something doubtful about the habits of this species which, notwithstanding 
the length of the intestines is said by the natives to be carnivorous, I have 
ventured to place it conditionally in this genus. 
I1I.—Svus.-Fam.—APALOPTERIN A, J.M. 
This sub-family comprises the Linnean genus Codztis, the Pecilia of 
Schneider, Cyprinodons of Lacepede, and two other small genera recently dis- 
covered in India. 
They are distinguished as a natural group from preceding sub-families 
by their slightly compressed bodies covered with a thick slimy mucous, by 
the uniform softness of all the rays of their fins, and the peculiarities of the 
head and branchial membrane, as well as by the circumstances attending the 
air-vessel, which in some is wanting, in others encased in a bony cell, in others 
divided by a longitudinal septum. 
The diversified character of the group may well entitle it to the denomi- 
nation aberrant, independent of the sense in which that term is strictly 
employed by writers on natural classification. 
Apart from the principles which those writers have laid down, it would 
be difficult, if not impossible, as indeed it has proved to the greatest compara- 
tive anatomist of modern times, to arrange according to their natural relations 
