288 TEr-EOSTEI. PIITSOSTOMI. 



fry of this species, from ^ to 1 inch or less in length. Sep- 

 tember 22nd the tank was netted, and several dozens captured, 

 one of the largest weighing 14 oz. and measuring 11 inches in 

 length ; the others were 1 or 2 oz. lighter. (' Nature,' Dec. Oth, 

 1875, xiii, p. 107.) 





Fig. 99. Cutla bitchanani. 



Hob. Sind, Punjab, throughout India to the Kistna, and east- 

 wards through Bengal, and Burma to Siam ; not known to occur 

 in India south of the Kistna, nor in Tenasserim. This fish attains 

 at least 6 feet in length, and is much esteemed as food when not 

 exceeding 2 feet, larger ones are coarse. It resides in fresh or 

 brackish water, being found within tidal influence. "It is a very 

 strong active animal, and often leaps over the seine of the fisher- 

 men, on which account, when fishing for the Catla, they usually 

 follow the net in canoes, and make a noise by shouting and 

 splashing with their paddles " {Ham. Buchanan). 



16. Genus THYNNICHTHYS, Bleeker. 

 Syn. Mola, pt., Blyth. 



Pseudobranchiae present. Abdomen rounded. Head somewhat 

 compressed ; integuments over snout thin ; upper lip absent ; only 

 a short labial fold on the side of the mandible. Mouth rather 

 wide, antero-lateral, with the lower jaw somewhat prominent. 

 No barbels. Gill-rakers short or absent. Eyes in the middle of 

 the depth of the head, and without any adipose lid. Pharyngeal 

 teeth molariform, compressed, close together, 5, 3 or 4, 2 or 3/3 

 or 2, 4 or 3, 5. Dorsal fin, short, without osseous ray ; ventral 



