Chanda. gangetic fishes. 105 



1st Species. — Chanda? setifer. 



A chanda 9 with one back fin containing ten prickles, and 

 nine soft rays ; with seven soft rays in the fin behind the vent; 

 with the first branch of the second ray in each ventral fin 

 lengthened out in form of a bristle ; and with scales on the 

 body, which is almost opaque. 



This species is ill defined, and might, perhaps, be placed as 

 a coius. 



This fish grows to about four inches in length, and is found 

 in the estuaries of the Ganges. It is narrower than the 

 ruconius, of a green colour above, and silvery below, and has no 

 spots. 



The head is oval, sharp, small, and behind covered with 

 scales. The under jaw is rather the shortest. There is some 

 appearance of lips. There is a roughness on both jaws in 

 place of teeth. Each nostril has two circular apertures. The 

 eyes are lateral, large, and somewhat oblong, with circular pu- 

 pils, and silvery irides. The bones under the nose, as well as 

 those of the cheeks, are indented on their lower edges. Each 

 gill-cover is rounded behind, and consists of two plates, that 

 have smooth edges. Their membranes are half uncovered. 



The back is prominent, and has a sharp ridge. It is pro- 

 vided with a furrow for lodging the fin of the back. The bel- 

 ly is straight. The lateral lines are arched parallel to the back. 

 The vent is behind the middle. The scales are large, and ad- 

 here firmly. Above each ventral fin is a scale-like appen- 

 dant, of moderate size. 



The edge of the back fin forms an arch, with an indent at the 

 end of the part supported by prickles, the first of which is very 

 short. There are nine soft rays, and they are branched at the 

 top. The pectoral fins are low, very long, and acuminated 

 above ; each contains sixteen rays, of which the two first and 



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