BABBITS. 217 



short rounded lobe; barbels two on each side *, subequal or anterior a little shorter 

 than the posterior, which measures one to one and a half diameters of eye, the distance 

 between them two-thirds to one diameter of eye. Dorsal fin with IV 8-9 rays, last 

 simple ray very strong, bony, not serrated, straight or very slightly curved, one-half to five- 

 sixths the length of the head ; edge of the fin feebly emarginate ; its distance from the 

 occiput a little less than its distance from the caudal. Anal fin with III 5 rays, the longest 

 three-fifths to three-fourths the length of the head, sometimes reaching the root of the 

 caudal fin. Pectoral fin acutely pointed, two-thirds to five-sixths the length of the 

 head, not reaching the ventral ; latter below the anterior rays of the dorsal. Caudal 

 fin deeply forked. Caudal peduncle once and a half to once and four-fifths as long as 

 deep. Scales finely striated longitudinally, 31-37 5I (^reiy 4?) > %i or ^ between lateral 

 line and ventral, 12 round caudal peduncle. 



Ruppell described the specimens observed by him at Goraza as of a light yellowish 

 green above, with coppery sheen, yellowish white on belly ; all the fins greenish ; the 

 iris yellowish brown. As preserved in spirit, the specimens in Mr. Degen's collection 

 vary from olive to blackish above, the scales sometimes dark-edged, the lower parts 

 being yellowish or silvery. According to his notes, some specimens when fresh are of 

 a deep blue colour above the lateral line, golden yellow below ; another is described as 

 uniformly of a pale yellow bronze, slightly iridescent, all the fins of a similar hue, 

 except the anal, which has a flesh-colour tinge, the iris a dull white with a fine yellow 

 ring round the pupil ; still another is described as light green above and of a rich 

 yellow below the lateral line, the dorsal and caudal dark green, the other fins light 

 green, in part flesh-coloured, the iris light yellow or greenish yellow, or of a light 

 bronze. 



This Barbus, of which I have examined 22 specimens, including the type, 410 millim. 

 long, preserved in a stuffed condition in the Senckenberg Museum at Frankfort-on-the- 

 Main, inhabits Lake Tsana and other waters of Southern Ethiopia, viz. the Didessa 

 Eiver, the Maki River, the principal feeder of Lake Zwai, the Kassam River in Shoa, 

 and the Hurso River in Upper Adal. It has also been found in the Sagan River, 

 running into L. Gandjule (Stephanie), by Baron Maurice de Rothschild, and in the Zeissi, 

 Elgo, and Sire R., flowing into L. Gandjule, S. pf L. Abaia, by Mr, Zaphiro. Its range 

 is therefore not restricted to the Nile system. 



List of the specimens examined : — 



1 Goraza, L. Tsana. — Ruppell, 1832. (Type.) 



3 Zegi, L. Tsana.— Degen, 13-21.5.02. 



1 Bahardar, L. Tsana. — Degen, 4.6.02. 



3 Gafersa, Maki R., ca. 5000 feet.— Degen, 11.3.02. 



* In the largest specimen brought home by Mr. Degen a supernumerary third barbel is present between 

 them on the right side, nearer the anterior than the posterior. 



2f 



