214 gangetic fishes. Order V. 



The Kuddera A of Dr Russell (Indian Fishes, Vol. II. No. 

 176) resembles much the Cancila, [Kangkila ;) but is distin- 

 guished by having scales on the cheeks, by different numbers of 

 rays in its fins, and by a spot on the fin of the tail. 



The Cancila is a very common fish in the ponds and smaller 

 rivers of the Gangetic provinces, grows to about a foot in 

 length, and is a very well-flavoured aliment. It is of a slender 

 form, very little compressed, and tapers to both ends. It is 

 greenish, and dotted above, and silver coloured or diaphanous 

 below. On each side of the tail is a silver coloured longitudi- 

 nal stripe, before and below which are four irregular black 

 spots. The eyes are yellow. 



The head is somewhat quadrangular, small, and covered 

 with very little muscle, or even skin. The mouth is very long, 

 both jams being elongated into a straight four-sided narrow 

 sharpish snout, with scarcely any lips. The under one is rather 

 longer and wider than the upper. Along the whole length of 

 each jaw the teeth are disposed in a single row, and are sharp 

 and unequal in size. The tongue is tied down to the jaw. 

 Each nostril has one aperture near the eye, in a triangular ca- 

 vity. The gill-covers conceal half of their membranes, each 

 containing thirteen rays. 



The lateral lines are straight and high. The vent is behind 

 the middle. 



The fin of the back has a concave edge, and slopes backward : 

 the two first of its rays are undivided. The pectoral fins are 

 low, small, and sharp above. Each has nine rays, of which the 

 first is undivided. The ventral fins are very small, each having 

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

 vent is of the same form with that on the back, and the three 

 first of its rays are undivided. The fin of the tail is shaped like 



