258 gangetic fishes. Order V. 



I. Division. — Cyprinus chela. 



Fishes of the Genus Cyprinus, with a sharp edge on the 

 space between the ventral fins and the fin behind the vent. 



The Cyprini of this division differ from the Clupanodons in 

 the smaller number of rays in the membranes of the gill-co- 

 vers, and in the fore part of the belly having a blunt edge ; but 

 on the whole, the Clupanodons, and these Cyprini, are but in- 

 differently distinguished. To this division belong the Cyprinus 

 cultralus and C. clupoides of Ichthyologists. Besides the charac- 

 ters belonging to the genus and division, the seven following 

 species have in common the following marks : 



The form is long, much compressed, and somewhat like the 

 head of a lance, or blade of a knife. The eyes are silver co- 

 loured. 



The head is small, and devoid of tendrils. The eyes are high 

 and far forward. The back fin is considerably behind the 

 middle. The ventral fins are at some distance before the vent. 



1st Species. — Cyprinus cachius. 



A Cyprinus of the Chela kind, with three rays in each ven- 

 tral fin ; with about twenty-six in that behind the vent ; and 

 with about seven in that of the back. 



The Cachius (Kachhi) is a minute fish, scarcely an inch long, 

 and is found in the Ganges, about the commencement of the 

 Delta. It is of an oblong shape, more prominent below than 

 above. The greater part is diaphanous, with a gloss changing 

 from green to purple. The back and belly are dotted, the up- 

 per part of the head is green, on each side is a silver stripe, 

 and the membrane investing the visceral cavity is of the same 

 colour. The fins are diaphanous, that of the back being dot- 

 ted. 



