209 



shorter than that of the dorsal, strongly denticulated internally, 

 serrated externally in its outer fourth. Base of the adipose dorsal 

 as long as that of the rayed tin. Air-bladder in two lateral portions, 

 enclosed in bony capsules. Colour dull grey, the outer two 

 thirds of the pectoral, the outer halves of both dorsals, ventral and 

 anal black ; caudal whitish. The young are of a yellowish-bronze 

 colour, becoming silvery on the abdomen; they have three dark 

 bands over the head, and four more over the back, descending as 

 low as the lateral line. Caudal with a semilunar black band, or a 

 black blotch on each lobe ; a dark mark across the dorsal fin. 



Uab. Eivers of Bengal and Orissa, the Jumna, Ganges, and 

 Indus, also Burma; attaining a foot in length. 



223. (2.) Gagata itchkeea. 



Phractocephalus itchkeea, Sykes, Tr. Z. S. ii, p. 373, t. 67, fig. 1. 

 Gagata itchkeea, Day, Fish. India, p. 492, pi. cxv, fig. 6 (see 

 synon.). 



D. 1/6 | 0. P. 1/8. V. 6. A. 12-14 (3-4/9-10). 0. 19. 



Length of head 5, of caudal fin 4J, height of body 6 in the total 

 length. Eyes diameter 3 in the length of head, 1 diameter from 

 the end of snout, and the same apart. Snout overhanging the 

 mouth. Median longitudinal groove on the head reaching to the 

 base of the occipital process ; a lateral process proceeds from the 

 occiput, curving rather outwards and downwards ; the process at 

 the shoulder pointed, and as long as the head excluding the snout. 

 Barbels the nasal reach to the front third of the eye, the maxil- 

 lary to the middle of the pectoral spine, whilst the two mandibular 

 pairs (which arise on a transverse line behind the lower lip) are 

 longer than the head. Teeth villiform in jaws; none on the 

 palate. Fins dorsal spine smooth, as long as the head posterior 

 to the nostrils ; pectoral spine equally long and denticulated inter- 

 nally. Air-bladder in a lobe on either side, bounded superiorly 

 and partly laterally by the auditory ossicles. Colour yellowish 

 bronze, becoming silvery on the sides and abdomen ; some dark 

 blotches along the back descending to halfway down the sides. 

 A black blotch on either lobe of the caudal, and another on the 

 dorsal fin. 



Hob. Eivers of the Deccan. This appears to be a small species. 



224. (3.) Gagata batasio. 



Pimelodus batasio, Ham. Buch. Fish. Gani/es, pp. 179, 377. 

 Gagata batasio, Day, Fish. India, p. 493, pi. xcix, fig. 5 (see synon.). 



D. 1/7 | 0. P. I/?. V. 6. A. 16. C. 20. 

 Head small, as is also the mouth. Eyes small and high up. 

 Barbels eight, shorter than the head. Fins dorsal spine strong, 



