114 gangetic fishes. Order IV. 



above the ventral fins, behind which it descends to the middle 

 of the fish. The scales on the body and fins are minute, and 

 so transparent, that they can scarcely be seen without a magni- 

 fying glass : they are marked with concentric lines. 



There are two back fins united, but most readily distinguish- 

 able. The prickles in the first, seven in number, are longer 

 than the intermediate membranes, and gradually become 

 shorter and shorter from the second, which is the longest, and 

 much longer than the first. The edge of the second fin forms 

 an arch, its prickle is twice as long as the last of the foremost 

 fin, and the soft rays are branched. The pectoral fins are short, 

 sharp above, and low on the sides. The ventral fins are short. 

 The edge of the fin behind the vent is arched, but the mem- 

 brane between the prickles is short. The fin of the tail con- 

 tains eighteen distinct rays, besides some small compacted ones 

 at each side. 



9th Species. — Chanda lala. Plate XXI. Fig. 39. 



A chanda with two back fins united, the first being even on 

 the edge, and the second containing from twelve to fourteen 

 soft rays ; with fifteen soft rays in the fin behind the vent j and 

 with a short scaly body. 



This fish is found along with the last described, and is still 

 more beautiful : indeed, nothing can exceed the delicacy of its 

 tints ; but it differs more in general appearance than in any 

 part of its general structure from which a satisfactory specific 

 character could be drawn; especially as, in young individuals, 

 the colours of the two species are faint and ill defined. In the 

 adult lala the gloss is golden, and the dots are orange. The 

 sides have several transverse bars, alternately of dusky and of 

 gold, with a green gloss. 



The most remarkable difference in the structure is, that the 



