CARPS. 593 



Labeo. — Scales of moderate or small size. Dorsal fin with- 

 out osseous ray, with more than nine branched rays, commenc- 

 ing somewhat in advance of the ventrals. Snout obtusely 

 rounded, the skin of the maxillary region being more or less 

 thickened, forming a projection beyond the mouth. Mouth 

 transverse, inferior, with the lips thickened, each or one of 

 them being provided with an inner transverse fold, which is 

 covered with a deciduous horny substance forming a sharp edge, 

 which, however, does not rest upon the bone as base, but is soft 

 and movable. Barbels very small, two or four ; the maxillary 

 barbels more or less hidden in a groove behind the angle of the 

 mouth. Anal scales not enlarged. Pharyngeal teeth uncinate, 

 5. 4. 2.-2. 4. 5. Snout generally more or less covered with 

 hollow tubercles. 



About thirteen species are known from rivers of tropical , 

 Africa and the East Indies. 



DiSCOGNATHUS. — Scales of njoderate size. Dorsal fin with- 

 out osseous ray, with not more than nine branched rays, com- 

 mencing somewhat in advance of the ventrals. Snout obtusely 

 rounded, more or less depressed, projecting beyond the mouth, 

 more or less tubercular. Mouth inferior, transverse, crescent- 

 shaped ; lips broad, continuous, with an inner sharp edge of the 

 jaws, covered with horny substance on the lower jaw ; upper lip 

 more or less distinctly fringed; lower lip modified into a suc- 

 torial disk, with free anterior and posterior margins. Barbels 

 two or four ; if two, the upper are absent. Anal scales not 

 enlarged. Pectoral fins horizontal. Pharyngeal teeth, 5. 4. 2.- 

 2. 4. 5. 



A small fish (JD. lamta), extremely abundant in almost 

 all the mountain streams from Abyssinia and Syria to 

 Assam. 



CapoetA. — Scales small, of moderate or large size. Dorsal 

 fin with or without a strong osseous ray, with not more than 

 nine branched rays. Snout rounded, with the mouth transverse 

 and at its lower side ; each mandible angularly bent inwards 

 in front, the anterior mandibular edge being nearly straight, 

 sharpish, and covered with a horny brown layer. No lower 



2 Q 



