604 FISHES. 



" Bleak " are numerous in Europe and Western Asia, 

 fifteen species being known. The common Bleak {A. albur- 

 nus) is found north of the Alps only, and represented by 

 another species {A. alhnrndlns, " Alborella," or " Avola ") in 

 Italy. 



Of the other genera referred to this group, Lcucaspius 

 and Fclccus belong to the European Fauna ; PelotrojjJuts is 

 East African ; all the others occur in the East Indies or the 

 temperate parts of Asia, viz. Rasborichthys, Elopichthys, 

 Acanthohraina (Western Asia), Osteobrama, Chanodiclitliys, 

 Ilemiculter, Siniliogastcr, Toxahramis, Cidtcr, Eastira, Chela, 

 Fseudolahiica, and Cachius. 



XIII. HoMALOPTERiNA. — Dorscd and anal fins sJiorf, the 

 former opposite to ventrals. Pectoral and ventral fins hori- 

 zontal, the former with the outer rays simple. Barbels six or 

 none. Air-hladdcr absent. Pharyngeal teeth in a single series, 

 from ten to sixteen in number. 



Inhabitants of hill-streams in the East Indies ; they are 

 of small size and abundant where they occur. Thirteen 

 species are known belonging to the genera Homaloptera, 

 Gastromyzon, Crossostoina, and Psilorhynchus. 



XIV. COBITIDINA. — Mouth surrounded hy six or more 

 harhels. Dorsal fin short or of moderate length ; anal fin 

 short. Scales small, rudimentary, or entirely absent. Pharyn- 

 gecd teeth in a single series, in moderate number. Air-bladder 

 partly or entirely enclosed in a bony capsule. Pseudobranchia: 

 none : Loaches. 



MrsGURNUS. — Body elongate, compressed. No sub-orbital 

 spine. Ten or twelve barbels, four belonging to the mandible. 

 Dorsal fin opposite to the ventrals ; caudal rounded. 



Four species from Europe and Asia. M. fossilis is the 

 largest of European Loaches, growing to a length of ten 

 inches ; it occurs in stagnant waters of eastern and southern 



