226 gangetic fishes. Order V. 



gill-covers to the middle of the tail, and then runs straight to 

 its end. The vent is before the middle. The scales are in- 

 dented on the edge, adhere firmly, and are of moderate size. 

 The uppermost of the rajs, before each pectoral fin, is as long 

 as the fin, the others diminish gradually in length. Above 

 each pectoral fin is a round scale-like appendant ; and above 

 each ventral fin is another appendant, tapering to a point. 



The foremost fin on the back is of a triangular form, and 

 contains eight slender prickles, of which the first is very short. 

 The hinder fin slopes backward, with a concave edge, and con- 

 tains fifteen rays, of which the first is a short prickle, adhering 

 closely to the second, which is undivided ; the others are 

 branched, the last being very thick, and concave behind, with 

 scales on each margin. The pectoral fins are low, nearly as 

 long as the head, and sharp above. Each contains seventeen 

 undivided rays, of which the two first are united. The ven- 

 tral fins, although behind the pectorals, are far forward on the 

 fish, and are small and approximated to each other. The fin 

 behind the vent is on the middle of the tail, and slopes back- 

 ward with a concave edge. It has seventeen rays, of which 

 the first and second are short prickles, closely united to the 

 third, which is undvided ; the others are branched, the last 

 resembling the singular structure of the last ray in the hinder 

 back fin. The upper lobe of the tail fin is the longest. It 

 contains fifteen distinct rays, besides some short compacted 

 ones at each side. 



2d Species. — Polynemus sele. 

 A Polynemus with five detached rays before each pectoral 

 fin, and extending to the vent ; with no stripes on the sides ; 

 and with the lateral lines reaching to the end of the lower lobe 

 of the tail fin. 



