250 APPENDIX II 
ornamented with five black bands, which are irregular in shape, and may 
be broken up into large blotches ; all are continuous across the back, and 
the middle one corresponds in position to the dorsal fin. All the fins 
variegated with black, the black markings of the dorsal and anal fins 
sometimes confluent into broad band-like spots. ; 
Two specimens of this fine gigantic species of loach were sent by 
Mr. Pratt from Ichang. The larger measures thirteen inches in length. 
43. Botia pratti, sp.n. D.11. A.8. V.9. (Plate IV. Fig. A.) 
Barbels eight, but the two symphyseal barbels are not prolonged into 
filaments—more like a pair of soft round buttons. The height of the body 
is rather more than one-fifth of the total length (without caudal), the 
length of the head two-sevenths ; snout elongate, but the very small eye 
is rather nearer to the end of the snout than to that of the operculum. 
The suborbital spine extends to below the hind margin of the orbit. 
Interorbital space narrow, transversely convex, three or four times as wide 
as the very small eye. Origin of the dorsal fin midway between the root 
of the caudal and the orbit. Caudal fin deeply forked, the lobes being as 
long as the head ; body covered with minute but imbricate scales. Ground 
colour brownish olive, without distinct markings on the body. Dorsal fin 
with two blackish bands running parallel to the upper margin. Caudal 
rays with numerous linear black markings or without any spots; the lower 
fins with very indistinct blackish markings. 
Three specimens eight inches long, from Kia-tiang-fu, 1,070 feet (foot 
of Omie-shan), Province Sze Chuen. 
44. Botia superciliaris, sp.n. D.11. A.8. V. 8. (Plate IV. Fig. B.) 
Barbels eight, but the two symphyseal barbels are not prolonged anto 
filaments—more like a pair of soft round buttons. The height of the body 
is two-ninths of the total length (without caudal), the length of the head 
two-sevenths; spout elongate, the small eye being rather nearer to the 
end of the operculum than to that of the stout. The suborbital spine lies 
in a long cleft which extends beyond the eye in both directions. Inter- 
orbital space narrow, transversely convex, two-and-a-half times as wide 
as the eye. Origin of the dorsal fin midway between the root of the 
caudal and the eye. Caudal fin forked, the lobes being shorter than the 
head. Body covered with minute scales which are imbricate on the tail. 
Ground colour light olive with broad brownish bars across the back, five 
in front and five behind the dorsal fin. A yellowish streak on the side of 
the snout running backwards through the superciliary region; three 
yellowish longitudinal lines on the crown of the head. Dorsal and 
generally pectoral fin with a broad dark cross band well within the 
margin. Each caudal lobe with three or four dark oblique bands. 
Five specimens six inches long, Kia-tiang-fu, 1,070 feet (foot of Omie- 
shan), Province Sze Chuen. 
