MuSll. GANGETIC FISHES. 221 



length. It contains fourteen distinct rays, beside some com- 

 pacted ones at each side. 



5th Species. — Mugil corsula. Plate IX. Fig. 97. 



A Mugil with nine rays in the hinder fin on the back ; with 

 three prickles and nine soft rays in that behind the vent ; with 

 the tail fin ending in a crescent ; with the head rising higher 

 than the back ; with the eyes protuberant ; and with the sides 

 striped with black dots. 



The Corsula (Khorsula) is found in most rivers of the Gan- 

 getic provinces, and, in the southern parts of Bengal, has been 

 introduced into some ponds. It grows to a foot in length, and 

 swims with the nose and eyes above water, probably in search 

 of insects. Although, no doubt, of a very different genus, it 

 would seem to have much of the appearance and manners of 

 the Cobitis anableps, (Bonnaterre, Tabl. Encycl. p. 148, PL 

 LXI. Fig. 240.) It is very well tasted, and, by the Europeans, 

 is much sought after for their tables. 



The Corsula is very slightly compressed, scabrous ; above 

 greenish coloured, and below silvery. The fins are diapha- 

 nous. 



The head rises a little from the nape to the eyes. The mouth 

 is a little behind and under the nose, and extends straight back- 

 ward. The upper jaw, which is longest, has a notch in the 

 middle ; the under is entire. The palate is smooth. Each nos- 

 tril has two apertures in the middle between the eye and jaw. 

 The eyes are very protuberant, and rather small. The longest 

 diameter of their pupils is vertical. The gill-covers end in a 

 point, and each contains three plates concealing the membrane, 

 which has four rays. 



The back is convex, forming a straight ridge, which slopes 

 with a very slight declivity from the commencement of the 



