1871.] F. Day — Monograph of Indian Gyprinid®. 287 



never grow to the size attained by the Barbodes : some, more 

 especially when residing in mountain streams, have a vivid coloura- 

 tion. The species of the sub-genus Puntius are mostly of small size, 

 whilst a few are brilliantly coloured. Amongst these sub -genera a 

 most natural subdivision appears to be into those with the last 

 undivided dorsal ray osseous and serrated or smooth, or others 

 in which the bony element is absent : whilst even further sub- 

 divisions, are easily made, if desired, into whether the fin rays are 

 elongated, and the lateral line is* complete or incomplete. 



Geographical distribution. Representatives of this genus exist in 

 most, if not all, Indian and Burmese rivers and tanks, the larger 

 species being generally termed Mahseers. Some attain an enormous 

 size as 90 lb. and upwards, these are more residents in rivers along 

 the bases of hills or large rapids, but a few have even a more 

 extended range. In an economic point of view, this genus is 

 very valuable as food, whilst owing to the extensive range of 

 some, it appears, that considerable variations occur which have 

 been defined as separate species. 



Synopsis of Species. 



A. With four barbels, (Barbodes.) 



a. Last undivided dorsal rag, osseous and serrated. 



1. Barbus chagunio, D. 3/8. A. 3/5. L. 1. 44-47. Pores on snout and head. 

 Colours uniform. Orissa, Bengal and Beliar. 



2.* Barbus clavatus, D. 11. A. 8. L. 1. 42. Pores on snout. Colours uniform, 

 BUckim. 



3. Barbus immaculatus, D. 3/8. A. 3/5. L. 1. 32-33. No pores on snout. 

 Colours uniform. Bengal, Assam, Silckim, N. W. Provinces. 



3 4 



4. Barbus sarana, D. A. 3/5. L. 1. 29-31. Colours uniform. Caudal 



8 



stained in Burma. India, Ceylon and Burma. 



5. Barbus pinnauratus, D. 3/8. A. 2/6. L. 1. 27-29. A black lateral blotch, 

 fins orange. Indus, Bombay, Kurnool, Malabar. 



6. Barbus pleurotcenia, D. 3/8. A. 2/6. L. 1. 28. A black band from eye to 

 middle of tail. Ceylon. 



7. Barbus goniosoma, D. 3/8. A. 2/5. L. 1. 24. Serrated dorsal ray weak. 

 Colours uniform. Mergui. 



8.* Barbus roseipinnis, D. 3/8. A. 2/5. L. 1. 22. Caudal, anal and ventrals 

 red. Pondicherry. 



9.* Barbus rodactylus. Fins red. Assam. 



