Pimelodus. gangetic fishes. 195 



bone ; the others are branched. The pectoral fins are low, 

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

 nine rays, of which the first is a prickle indented behind. The 

 ventral fins are smaller than the pectorals, and each has six 

 rays, of which the first is undivided. The fin behind the vent 

 slopes much backward. The first three of its rays are undi- 

 vided, and gradually increase in length from the first to the 

 third. The lobes of the tail fin are sharp, and contain about 

 sixteen distinct rays, with some short compacted ones at each 

 side. 



26th Species. — Pimelodus murius. 



A Pimelodus with the fin of the tail bifid ; with eight ten- 

 drils not longer than the head ; with the body opaque, smooth, 

 and green above ; with forty-two rays in the fin behind the 

 vent ; and with eight in the foremost of the back. 



The Murius (Muri vacha) is about four inches long. I 

 found it in the Mahananda river, and it is reckoned by the na- 

 tives as belonging to the same genus with the following fish. 

 It is long in proportion to its breadth, compressed at the sides, 

 green on the back, and silver coloured below. The fin of the 

 tail is blackish. 



The head is blunt, oval, and furrowed between the eyes with 

 a longitudinal cavity, surrounded by an elevated margin. Of 

 the tendrils, none of which are longer than the head, two pro- 

 ceed from the nostrils, two from the corners of the mouth, 

 and four from the chin. The mouth is of moderate size, and 

 descends obliquely from the extremity of the head. There are 

 scarcely any lips. The upper jaw is a little longer than the 

 under. In each jaw are crowded many teeth. The nostrils 

 are nearer the jaw than the eyes, which are large, with the 

 longest diameter of the pupils vertical. The gill-covers are 



