Chapt. hi. Etymology of the name. 21 



As regards the Canara Mahseer I will only mention 

 that one, which is apparently the Barbus mosal, is of a 

 uniform bluish silvery color, having the lower fins and 

 especially the tail strongly marked with blue. 



Another, which is perhaps Barbus tor, but about which 

 I am doubtful, and am inclined to think it has not been 

 named, though it may be only a variety of Barbus tor, 

 has very thick lips, the upper of which, though it appears 

 at first sight to be solid, curls upwards, and can be un- 

 curled by the finger. The lower lip has an imperial-like 

 flap attached to it. The color of this is a bright light- 

 brown all over the body, the fins being a reddish brown. 



Another has lips not quite so thick as the last, but 

 they are solid and harder, has no flap from the under 

 lip, and is colored brown with blue streaked on the caudal 

 and anal fins. The pectoral and ventral fins are reddish 

 brown as in the former. 



In all these three the upper lip is capable of being 

 protruded and withdrawn at pleasure, but it is markedly 

 so in the last two. 



The natives make no distinction. They are all alike 

 Peruval or Harale minu in Canarese, Meruval in Mala- 

 yalim; and Heragulu or Peruval in Tulu. Mahseer is 

 I believe the Hindustani name. I wish I knew the Tamil 

 and Telugu names the better to aid anglers in enquiring 

 after them. 



What is the etymology of the name Mahseer I have 

 not been able satisfactorily to discover. The following 

 Sanskrit origin has been suggested: maha great, and asya 



