bs 
A Notice of Indian Cyprinide. 97 
We have thus exhibited a mere outline of the important im- 
provements proposed by Dr “M'Clelland in the natural arrange- 
ment of the Cyprinide ; but besides his classification, our author 
has presented us a general synopsis of the species, and illustrated 
them with lithographic figures, from drawings mostly his own, 
all of which are sufficiently well executed to convey accurate 
ideas, and many of them are highly creditable. Besides furnish- 
ing nineteen colored plates, containing nearly one hundred figures, 
the volume before us is also enriched by a single plate, exhibiting 
the peculiar forms of the jaws in several genera of the subfamily 
Peonomine, and the differences of form and proportion of the 
alimentary canal in each of these great subfamilies. 
Almost one half of the entire volume is devoted to an “ac- 
count of the species,” and it constitutes by far the most interest- 
ing portion. We here find, not merely a scientific description of 
each fish, with its Latin and native name and its geographical 
locality, but its habits are elucidated with great clearness and 
evident acquaintance; its value as an article of food, from its 
delicacy or abundance, and the possibility and importance in ma- 
_ ‘hy instances of its being transported from one locality to another 
for economical purposes, are pointed out with the zeal of a phi- 
lanthropist ; while the perseverance and fidelity with which our 
author has studied the minute anatomy of his subjects, must 
claim from all readers their admiration. 
Published as this treatise is, by a society whose “Transactions” 
have become so voluminous, and are with difficulty procured, it 
cannot be extensively circulated or known among American nat- 
uralists ; I would notice therefore a few points of general inter- 
est, selected from the portion of this paper just referred to. 
In some parts of India, many of the species of fishes are found 
inimmense quantities. Our author, after describing Cyprinus- 
chola, remarks: “ Casting a net into a pond in Middle Assam, not 
Presenting any remarkable appearance of containing fish, about 
one hundred and twenty were brought up at a single draught”— 
(nine Species captured are here mentioned). “ The extent of the 
pond may have been four hundred yards, and that of the net 
three yards; and supposing half the fish to have escaped from 
_ Under the net, the number in the pond would have been thirty 
two thousand. When we consider the vast extent of surface 
occupied by waters equally productive, both in Bengal and As- 
Vol. xt1, No, 1.—April-June, 1841. 13 
