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56Q On the fresh-water Fishes of India. 



" On crossing the great chain, separating Afghanistan 

 from the plains of Toorkistan, which may be accom- 

 plished without exceeding an altitude of 13,000 feet, 

 even by taking the highest route, that of the Erak 

 Pass, a great change in the fish appears to occur, and 

 Salmonidse appear to take precedence of the Cyprinidae. 

 " A species of Ti-out abounds in the Bamean river, and 

 up its small tributaries derived from the Koh-i-Baba to 

 an altitude of about 11,000 feet. 

 " A species of Barbus with small scales, is likewise com- 

 mon in the Bamean river. 

 " The only other fish I have any knowledge of, inhabiting 

 the waters of the Toorkistan face of the Koh-i-Baba, is 

 a Loach found at Kaloo, at an elevation of 11,000 

 feet. 



The curious change in the fish does not appear to be 

 accompanied by any marked change in the physical 

 configuration of the country in its plants, animals, or 

 birds. 



I regret exceedingly, that from the loss of so great a 

 portion of my collections of fish I should have to sub- 

 stitute inexact for exact information. Collectors will 

 do well to bear in mind, that the preservative powers 

 of spirits are diminished by long and constant land 

 carriage, such as that of camels, and to obviate all risk 

 from this cause, by preserving specimens of each kind 

 with arsenical soap. ' 

 " The fish of Peshawur are almost entirely of Indian 

 forms, the Cabul river is there a large splendid stream. 

 " Along all the lines, within the influence of the plains, 

 an intermingling takes place, and in proportion to 

 the easiness of access from the plains, will be found 

 to depend the numbers of Affghan and Indian forms. 

 lt Of the fish of the Chenab, Ravee, and Gatlup, re- 

 marks would be superfluous, as the characters of those 



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