576 Afghan Collection of Fishes of India. 



scales placed vertically like eave-tiles. Their lips are thick 

 and fleshy, and their intestines vary from three and a half 

 to six lengths of the body. 



They inhabit the Mountains of India and Central Asia. 



Sub. Gen. Racoma,* McClell. et Griff. PI. XV. 



are distinguished by their protractile jaws like those of the 

 large scaled Barbels, the intermaxillaries forming a moveable 

 rim, by means of which the mouth, when opened, is project- 

 ed forward. 



Observation. — Their stomach is wider and more highly organised 

 than the intestines, which are continuous with it. The whole length 

 of the alimentary canal is about 3£ lengths of the body. They 

 prey upon small fishes, and are speedily taken with worms. They 

 inhabit the sources of the Helmund, the Oxus, and the Cabool river. 

 Our knowledge of them is entirely derived from the MSS. drawings 

 and specimens of Mr. Griffith. 



1. Rocoma Gobioides, t. xv. f. 3. — Bamean Barbel, Griffith MSS. 



This species, of which there is but a single specimen in Mr. 

 Griffith's collection, bears a resemblance in the form of the mouth 

 and head to the common Mrigalla or Meeriga of Hindustan, beyond 

 which, it presents no resemblance to any known species. The speci- 

 men is somewhat altered in shape, being merely a preserved skin ; but 

 Mr. Griffith took the precaution of making a correct outline figure of 

 the fish itself when fresh. 



The head is small, being about one-fifth of the entire length includ- 

 ing the head and caudal fin, and is scarcely equal to the depth of the 

 body. The snout is round, small, and but little prominent ; the mouth 

 opens horizontally, and the intermaxillary has but little motion ; the 

 operculum terminates behind in a round point, which is directed 

 backward. The depth of the body contracts suddenly at the dorsal 

 and anal fins, which are accordingly inserted on oblique bases. The 

 anal cleft extends for about half an inch in front of the fin, and the 

 vertical scales in this situation are twice the depth of the ordinary 



* Etym. Itakoma, a torn garment. 



