CYPBINIDJE. CYPBININ.E. . 249 



lip covered with cartilage, which is extended on to the inferior 

 surface, where, however, it is not so horny. Barbels of about 



Fig. 88. Oreinus sinuatus. 



equal length, aud not quite so long as the eye. Preopercle with 

 an emarginate posterior border. Teeth pharyngeal, 5, 3, 2/2, 3, 

 5, crooked, pointed. Fins dorsal commences a little before the 

 ventrals, and slightly nearer to the snout than to the base of the 

 caudal fin; its spine is rather strong, moderately serrated, and 

 rather longer than the head without the snout ; the fin is rather 

 higher than the body below it. Pectoral four fifths as long as the 

 head, and extending above halfway to the ventral, which last 

 reaches two thirds of the distance to the anal, its last ray divided 

 to its base. The anal has a narrow base and its length slightly 

 varies, reaching, when laid flat, the whole or only three fourths of 

 the distance to the base of the caudal, which is lobed in its 

 posterior half. Free portion of tail slightly longer than deep. 

 Scales rows above the lateral line about equal in size to those of 

 the pierced row, rather smaller below it : about 16 to 20 rows 

 between the lateral line and base of ventral fin, and 21 to 25 

 between it and base of dorsal ; tile-like row to vent minute, each 

 scale in it being from one third to half the diameter of the orbit. 

 In May (at Chumba) the ova of these fish inhabiting the main 

 stream were almost fully developed, being numerous and of a 

 large size. Colour greyish, becoming white below, preopercle 

 dashed with golden ; lower fins tinged red. After death two or 

 three rows of dark grey blotches appear above the lateral line. 

 Some have scattered black and occasionally red spots, and these 

 have been termed Trout. 



I fab. Afghanistan, Himalayan rivers, but not extending in the 

 plains to far from the base of the mountains. This fish adheres to 

 rocks by means of its sucker, and is thus enabled to reside in 

 mountain rapids. It attains at least 2 feet in length, is pretty 

 good eating, but bony ; it is too rich for some people, but does not 

 deleteriously affect those used to it. 



