Platystacus. gangetic fishes. 141 



The Chaca is found in the rivers and ponds of the north- 

 eastern parts of Bengal ; grows to about a span in length ; but is 

 so ugly, that all reject it for food with loathing. It is of a de- 

 pressed form, ending behind in a tapering tail. All over the 

 skin are scattered little fleshy projections, ragged on the surface, 

 Above it is clouded with green and black, and below with the 

 latter colour, and yellow ; but all its colours are dirty and ill 

 defined. The fins are spotted with black. 



The head is much flattened, very blunt, and wider than the 

 body. Down its middle runs an oblong cavity, surrounded by 

 an ill defined ridge, from which there proceed nine others, di- 

 verging as if from a common centre. There are six tendrils, 

 much shorter than the head, four from the sides of the under 

 jaw, and from each corner of the mouth one, which is connect- 

 ed with a short membrane indented with three points. The 

 mouth is terminal, but high, and of enormous size. The under 

 jaw is the longest, and is provided with a membranous veil, 

 The lips are very thick, and indented on the edge. In both 

 jaws are crowded many sharp minute teeth, those in the upper 

 jaw being confined to two long spaces. On the palate are four 

 spaces covered with similar teeth. The tongue is very broad, 

 and has a notch at the end. Each nostril consists of a minute 

 tube on the edge of the lip. The eyes are forward on the crown 

 of the head, but far from each other, and are small, protuberant, 

 and covered by the common skin. The pupils resemble slits. 

 Each gill-cover consists of a single plate, which does not conceal 

 the membrane j but this is so thick, that no rays can be distin- 

 guished. The skin under the lower jaw does not form a sack. 



The body is depressed, and the tail tapers without being com- 

 pressed. The lateral lines descend along the sides, and are 

 smooth. The vent is behind the middle. 



The jins are covered with a thick skin. That of the back is 



