cclxxi 



Head osseotis avd rovgh in places. A hngxindinal row of hovy })la(es 

 along the median Hue of the back, ilvvlk small, traiisversr, inferior. 

 Nostrils round, close together, but separated Li/ a valve. Barbels, one pair 

 of maxUlary and several of mandibular. Teeth absent. A single short 

 dorsal fin, without a distinct spine : ventral with seven rays: anal short: 

 caudal with the upper ray prolonged. Air-vessel enclosed in a bony 

 capisule. 



lis. Sisor raljdophorus, Ham. Bucli. JK^r-ri-dce, Siiul. D. ^, A. 0. 

 Maxillary barbels reach base of pectoral spine : a species of (lup from 

 lower lip ■with a moderately loug barbel on either sicle^ and two more 

 intermediate but shorter ones : between these flaps are Bcveral short 

 barbels on a transverse line across the chin, and several more minute 

 ones on the isthmus. Blackish above, lighter below. ll]iper jiortions 

 of Ganges, Jumna, and Indus with its allluents, attaining several feet 

 in length. 



Genus — Gaoata, Sleeker. 



Callomystax, Giinther. 



Branchiostcgals about six. Gill-openings of moderate width, the 

 membrane being confluent with the skin of the isthmus : thorax deslitute 

 of plaits. Sup)erior surface of the head with rather rough ridges, and 

 covered by very thin shin. Eyes subcutaneous. Mouth below the snout, 

 small and transverse. Nostrils close together, rounded, the posterior being 

 provided with a small barbel. Barbels eight, the maxillary slightly 

 osseous, and having a broad basal membrane : the two pairs of mandibular 

 ones in a transverse row just behind the lower lip. Small teeth in both 

 jaws ; none on the palate. First dorsal having one strong spine and si.t 

 rays : adipose fin of moderate length : ventral with six rays, situated entirely 

 posterior to the dorsal : caudal deeply forhed. Air-vessel in two portions, 

 and enclosed in bony capsules formed from the bodies of an anterior vertebra : 

 these lateral portions, which are globular, communicate with one another. 



119. Gagata typus, Blccker. Buttah-chettah, Ooriah. D. ^/O, A. 

 1.5. Maxillary barbels reach a little bcj'ond the root of the j)cctoral. 

 Dull grey ; the outer two-thirds of the pectoral, dorsal and anal (ins 

 black J caudal white. Estuaries and large rivers of Lower Bengal and 

 Burma, attaiuing about a foot in length. 



Genus — Hemifimelodus, Bleeher. 

 Branchiostcgals fire or six. Gill-openings infero-lateral, the mem- 

 branes attached to the isthmus. Upper surface of the head osseous. Eyes 

 S7ibcutaneous. Upper jaw the longer. Nostrils approximating, the jwslerior 

 being provided toilh a valve or even icith a tmrbel. Barbels six or eight : 

 if six, consisting of one tnaxillary and two mandibular pairs : if eight, 

 lilcewise a nasal pair. Villiform. teeth in the jaws : palate edentulous. 

 First dorsal with one spine and six or seven rays : adipose Jin short, or 

 of moderate length : piectoral spine strong : anal without an elongated base : 

 ventral with six rays, situated posteriorly to the dorsal : caudal forked. 

 Air-vessel divided into tioo lobes and enclosed in bone. 



a. With eight barbels. 



120. Ilemipimelodus itehkeca, Sykcs. D. i/0, A. 13. f'^ight bar- 

 bclsj a short nasal pair. Yellowish bronze, three dark blotches on the 



