Pimelodus. gangetic fishes. 167 



are smaller than the pectorals, and each contains eight rays, of 

 which the first and last are undivided. The fin behind the vent 

 is somewhat rounded, but slopes more behind than before : its 

 first four rays are undivided, and the others are branched, the 

 last being divided to the very root. The fin of the tail consists 

 of two unequal lobes, the upper being the longest and sharpest. 

 It has fifteen distinct rays, besides some short compacted ones 

 at each side. 



5th Species. — Pimelodus gagora. Plate X. Fig. 54. 



A Pimelodus with six tendrils shorter than the head ; with the 

 tail fiu divided into two lobes ; with nine rays in the first fin of 

 the back, which has no elongation beyond its membrane ; but 

 its prickle is indented on both edges ; with eighteen rays in the 

 fin behind the vent ; and with the sides unspotted, and opaque. 



The Gagora has a considerable affinity to the Pimelodus 

 barbies of La Cepede, (Hist, des Poissons, Tome V. p. 106,) a 

 fish of South America, and therefore probably different from 

 that of India. It is common in the estuaries of Bengal, grows 

 to about three feet in length, and is considered good eating by 

 the natives. The form is long, conical, little compressed at the 

 sides, and rather more prominent above than below. From the 

 beginning of the back fin it slopes gradually to both ends, but 

 below the tail diminishes rather suddenly at the fin behind the 

 vent. The colour above is a dusky purple, and below white. 

 The sides have a gloss like silver. The back fins are dotted 

 with black, the dots on the hinder fin forming a faint large spot. 

 The fin behind the vent, that of the tail, and the ventrals, are 

 white, stained with red. 



The head is short, but thick, oval, lightly depressed, and rises 

 with a convex slope from the jaw to the nape ; and this slope 

 continues to the back fin. From this organ there extends for- 



