42 Mr. J. M'Clelland oti Indian Cyprinidae. 



exist*. This is exemplified by a comparison of typical with 

 subtypical groups, as Quadrumana with Ferae in the orders of 

 Mammalia, and Insessores "v^■ith Raptores in the orders of birds ; 

 as this is true with regard to higher groups, it should be just 

 as applicable to the lower assemblages when they happen to 

 be equally complete in their parts. 



11. The above inference, whether its principles be just or 

 not, has proved to be perfectly correct, notwithstanding the 

 remark of Linnaeus, that Cyprins ai'e perhaps the least carni- 

 vorous of the whole class of fishes, " feeding chiefly on seeds, 

 grass, and even mud ;" and the observation of Cuvier, " that 

 they are the least carnivorous of all fishes." Those who have 

 since written on the subject have for the most part adopted 

 the views on this point of the great authorities just named. 



12. A close investigation of our Indian species has led to 

 very different results, and enabled me to form Cyprinidce into 

 three subfamilies. First, the Paonoinhue, or herbivorous Cy- 

 prins, already adverted to, which consist of species whose ha- 

 bits accord with the views of Cuvier and Linnaeus ; and Sar~ 

 coborince, or carnivorous Cyprins, consisting of several natural 

 genera, and Apalopterime, including the Cobitince or Loaches, 

 the Pcecilian(S. Cyprinodons, and other genera, which in the 

 ' Regne Animal' appear to have little connexion with the fa- 

 mily, as well as some new forms peculiar to India. 



13. As the peculiarities of the first subfamily, consisting 

 in the form of their mouth and digestive organs, have been 

 pointed out, I shall now proceed to notice the characteristics 

 in sM'ucture and habits of the several groups of Sarcoborince. 

 Two of the most remarkable genera of this subfamily are the 

 Perilamps and Opsarions ; the first consisting of small insec- 

 tivorous fishes remarkable for the brilliancy of their colours, 

 always disposed in streaks. The second are lengthy, hand- 

 some species, larger than the Perilamps, though still of small 

 size, and very bright in their colours, which are however dis- 

 posed in cross-bars ; — these are exclusively carnivorous, and 

 remarkably voracious. 



14. The Perilamps {Perilampus) form the connexion be- 

 tween the Systoms and Leuciscs. The mouth is placed in a 

 directly opposite position from that which it occupies in the 

 typical forms of the Pceonommce ; the jaws are directed up- 

 ward, and their apices are placed on a level with the back or 

 crown ; their intestine is short, and in no instance exceeds 

 the length of the body ; and their food consists of insects only, 

 which they derive by springing from beneath the surface of 



* I here refer particularly to what Mr. MacLeay calls affinity of transiil- 

 tatioii, or that relation which the opposite points of a circle of affinities bear 

 to each other. 



