CYPKINID.E. 213 



total length. Eyes diameter 4 in the length of the head, ] 

 diameters from the end of snout, and 1 apart. The greatest width 

 of the head equals its length behind the angle of the mouth. 

 Snout overhanging the mouth, which is transverse. Gill-openings 

 wide, the membranes being notched. Median longitudinal groove 

 on the head deep, having raised edges, and reaching the base of the 

 occipital process, which latter is three times as long as wide, and 

 does not quite reach the basal bone. Osseous processes from 

 occiput and over base of pectoral fin well developed. Barbels 

 the maxillary reach the root of the pectoral spine ; the inner 

 maudibular pair are anterior to the external pair. Teeth none 

 on the palate. Fins dorsal spine strong, smooth, and half as long 

 as the head. Pectoral spine strong, externally rough in its lower 

 half, denticulated internally. Colour glossy gr"eehieh brown on 

 the batk, with two very light green bands, passing one from the 

 base of each dorsal fin to the middle of the depth of the body. A 

 dark band on the dorsal fin, and spots on either lobe of the caudal. 

 JJab. Rivers of Northern Bengal, not uncommon in the Jumna 

 at Delhi, and also found at Poona'in the Deccan. 



Family IV. CYPRINID^. 



Branchiostegals three ; pseudobranchise generally present. Body 

 oblong or elongate ; abdomen usually rounded, but, if compressed 

 and cutting, destitute of ossicles. Margin of the upper jaw 

 formed by the premaxillaries. Opercles in four pieces. Mouth 

 toothless, but from one to three rows of teeth in the inferior 

 pharyngeal bones, which latter are strong, free, and parallel to the 

 branchial arches. A single, rayed dorsal fin. Head scaleless; 

 body scaled or scaleless, never covered by osseous plates. No 

 " cul-de-sac " to the stomach, nor pyloric appendages. Air-bladder, 

 if present, large > it may be divided into two lateral portions 

 partially or entirely enclosed in a bony capsule (Cobitidince) ; or 

 by a constriction into an anterior and posterior portion, neither of 

 which is enclosed by bone (Cyprinintx). 



Geographical Distribution. Fresh- waters of the Old World and 

 North America. 



Carps (Cyprinidce) are well represented in the fresh waters and 

 estuaries of India, Ceylon, and Burma, as they and the Siluridce 

 compose the great mass of fish residing there, especially if we omit 

 the migratory Clupeidce. "Wh'ereas Siluroids, as a rule, appear to 

 prefer muddy water, carps thrive best in those which are clear ; still 

 many species of this family obtain their subsistence in dirty waters, 

 for which purpose their barbels may prove of considerable assistance. 

 There are few members of this family which are such foul feeders 

 as the Siluroids, consequently carps may be deemed more whole- 

 some and would be greatly preferable as food were it not for the 



