Clupanodon. gangetic fishes. 251 



the upper lip widen gradually downward, and are entire on the 

 edges. The tongue is fixed its whole length, and is smooth and 

 sharpish. The nostrils are half way between the eye and jaw. 

 The eyes have oval pupils, the longest diameters of which are 

 vertical. Each gill-cover contains four plates, and its membrane 

 contains six rays, of which the three outer are flat. 



The scales are middle-sized, very thin, entire on the edges, 

 and easily removed. There are scale-like appendants above the 

 lower fins ; but those above the pectorals are small ; and those 

 above the ventrals are minute and indistinct. 



The three first rays of the back fin are undivided, and the 

 others are branched : the first is very minute, so as to be easily 

 overlooked. The pectoral fins are shorter than the head, low, 

 and sharp above : each has about fourteen rays. The ventral 

 fins are still smaller than the pectorals, and do not reach to the 

 vent : each has eight rays. The three first rays of the fin be- 

 hind the vent are undivided, and lengthen gradually from the 

 first ; the rest are branched. The fin of the tail is divided into 

 two lobes. 



8th Species. — Clupanodon motius. 



A Clupanodon with fifteen rays in the fin of the back, and 

 forty-three in that behind the vent ; and with the edge of the 

 upper jaw quite entire. 



This fish I found in the Brahmaputra river, where it grows 

 to be about three inches in length, and is neither in a quantity 

 nor of a quality to be valuable. It seems to have a near affi- 

 nity to the Ditchelee of Dr Russell, (Indian Fishes, No. 188 ;) 

 but this, having the upper jaw indented on the edge, must be 

 rather considered as a Clupea. Besides, it has only forty rays 

 in the fin behind the vent. 



The Motius is shaped somewhat like a knife, being straighter 



