Clupanodon. gangetic fishes. 243 



the back ; and with one fin behind the vent, distinct from that 

 of the tail. 



These fishes are distinguished from the Clupeas by no very 

 striking circumstance, except the want of teeth, and this pro- 

 duces much less difference in their habits than I should have 

 expected. Besides the circumstances mentioned in the gene- 

 ric character, all the species examined by me have in common 

 the following marks : 



The fish is oblong, much compressed, and shaped somewhat 

 like the head of a lance, or sword-blade. The eyes are colour- 

 ed like silver. 



The head is devoid of scales, and more or less diaphanous 

 before the eyes. The mouth is small. The jaws do not pro- 

 trude in opening, and have scarcely any lips ; but, in place of 

 the upper, have two flat bones. Each nostril, when any is vi- 

 sible, has only one aperture. The eyes are large and high on 

 the sides of the head. The gill-covers are rounded behind, 

 consist of three or four shining plates, and expose their mem- 

 branes, each containing five or six rays. 



The edge of the belly is sharp throughout, and toothed like 

 a saw. The vent is behind the middle. 



The back fin is near the middle ; that of the vent occupies a 

 considerable proportion of the space between the vent and tail ; 

 and the number of rays in each ventral fin is either seven or 

 eight. The tail fin has two lobes. 



1st Species. — Clupanodon ilisha. Plate XIX. Fig. 73. 



A Clupanodon with twenty rays in the back fin ; with twen- 

 ty-one in that behind the vent j and with eight in each ventral 

 fin. 



This is the Sable Jish of the English in Bengal, which Dr 

 Russell (Indian Fishes, No. 198) considered as the same with 



