CoiuS. GANGETIC FISHES. 93 



soft rays in the dorsal fins ; with three prickles and eight soft 

 rays in the fin behind the vent ; and with three longitudinal 

 black stripes on each side. 



The affinity of this fish with the last is so strong, that, by the 

 natives, both are called by names radically the same, although, 

 as species, they are very distinct. This kind also is found in 

 the mouths of the Ganges, but seldom exceeds six inches in 

 length. 



The fish is of a long form, flattened at the sides, scaly, and 

 rough to the feel. Except the stripes, it is of a silvery colour. 

 The dorsal fins are marked with several black stains, and that 

 of the tail with some longitudinal stripes. The eyes are yellow. 



The head is blunt, oval, small, and scaly. The mouth is low, 

 and extends horizontally backward. The jaws are nearly of an 

 equal length. The bones of the upper lip end blunt, as if cut 

 transversely. The tongue is blunt, and tied down. In each 

 jaw are crowded many teeth, with a single row of remote large 

 ones intermixed. There are none on the palate. Both aper- 

 tures of each nostril are circular ; the foremost is surrounded 

 by a margin. The cheek-bones are indented on the lower edge. 

 The anterior plate of the gill-covers is also indented, with the 

 four lower toothlets larger than the others. The hinder plate 

 of the gill-covers terminates in a long strong spine. The 

 membranes of the gill-covers are exposed, and each contains six 

 rays. 



The back has a furrow for receiving the fin. The scales are 

 small, and finely indented on the edge, and adhere firmly. On 

 each side of the nape is a scaly space, the margin of which, be- 

 hind, is indented. Above each pectoral fin is a scale-like ap- 

 pendant, indented on its hinder edge. 



The back fins are united but distinguishable, the edge of each 

 forming an arch. The foremost contains ten strong prickles ; 



