222 gangetic fishes. Order V. 



hinder fin to the nape. The belly is arched. There are no late- 

 ral lines. The tail slopes suddenly at the hinder back fin. The 

 scales adhere firmly, and are large, oblong, imbricated, and very 

 minutely indented on the edges. 



The fore fin of the back is triangular, and near the middle of 

 the fish. It contains four prickles, rather longer than the in- 

 terposed membranes. The hinder fin slopes, with a curved 

 edge, and is much larger than the first. The two first of its 

 rays are undivided, and the first is a short prickle : the other 

 seven are branched. The pectoral fins are almost half way up 

 the side, shorter than the head, and sharp above ; and each 

 contains fifteen rays. The ventral fins are a little before the 

 foremost of the back, and are shorter than the pectorals. The 

 fin at a considerable distance behind the vent is opposite to, 

 and of the same form with, the second on the back. The first 

 four of its rays gradually lengthen, and the first three are 

 prickles ; the nine last are branched. The fin on the tail con- 

 tains fourteen distinct rays, besides some compacted ones at 

 each side. 



XIII. Genus. — Atherina. 

 Fishes of the fifth order, with less than eight rays in each 

 ventral fin, and in each membrane of the gill-covers ; with the 

 palate toothless, and the lower jaw devoid of a central ridge ; 

 with the body and tail of a long form, and somewhat diapha- 

 nous ; with two fins supported by rays on the back ; and with 

 a silver-coloured stripe on each side. 



1st Species. — Atherina danius. 

 An Atherina with about four rays in the foremost dorsal fin, 

 and eight in the second ; and with ten in that behind the vent. 

 The Danius (Dhani) is a minute fish, seldom exceeding an 



