Pimelodus. gangetic fishes. 183 



first ray is a very short bone, the second a strong prickle, 

 barbed behind, and the others are branched, the last being 

 split to the root. The hinder fin is oblong, and rises gradually 

 to near the end, which is very blunt. The pectoral fins are 

 low, shorter than the head, and sharp above. Each contains 

 about seven rays, of which the first is a very strong prickle, 

 deeply indented behind. The ventral fins are still smaller 

 than the pectorals, and each contains six rays. The fin be- 

 hind the vent slopes backward. Its first four rays are undivid- 

 ed, and lengthen gradually from the foremost ; the others are 

 branched, and the last is divided to the bottom. The tail fin 

 consists of two very sharp lobes, the posterior edges of which 

 are convex. 



18th Species. — Pimelodus tengara. Plate III. Fig, 61. 



A Pimelodus with the tail fin bifid ; with eight tendrils, 

 whereof four are longer than the head ; with a smooth opaque 

 body, having four dotted stripes on each side ; with ten rays 

 in the fin behind the vent ; and with eight in that of the 

 back. 



The Silurus vittatus of Bloch (Ichth. Tome II. page 40, PI. 

 CCCLXXI. Fig. 2) has some affinity to the Tengara, but the 

 prickle on the back is indented behind. 



The Tengara is very common in the ponds of India, and by 

 the natives is considered good eating. It is a beautiful little 

 fish, from four to six inches in length. It is higher in propor- 

 tion to its length than most species of Pimelodus, a good deal 

 compressed at the sides, and its back is much more prominent 

 than its belly. The upper ridge of the tail contracts rather 

 suddenly at the end of the second fin. The upper parts are of 

 a green colour, changing to purple, the under white. On 

 each side are four longitudinal stripes, covered with black dots. 



