Cyprinus. gangetic fishes. 279 



21st Species. — Cyprinus mrigala. Plate VI. Fig. 79. 



A Cyprinus of the Bangana kind, with two tendrils ; with 

 sixteen rays in the fin of the back ; and with eight in that be- 

 hind the vent. 



The Mrigala of the Sanscrit, and Mirgal of the vulgar dia- 

 lects, is one of the most beautiful fishes in India, and is pretty 

 common in the ponds and fresh water rivers of the Gangetic 

 provinces. When taken out of the water it is tenacious of life, 

 and grows to from one and a half to two feet in length. It is 

 much valued by the natives, and, although inferior to the Rohita 

 and Catla, to be afterwards described, is a well tasted fish, of 

 easy digestion. 



Its form is more prominent on the back than below. The 

 green colour on the back changes to golden. The lower fins are 

 tinged red, and all are dotted. The eyes are yellow. 



The head is bluntish, and half oval, being flat above, and slop- 

 ing upward below. The nose is fleshy, and marked by some 

 hollow dots. On each side it has a very short tendril, scarcely 

 reaching to the corner of the mouth. This is small, horizontal, 

 and behind the nose. The jaws protrude in opening. The lips 

 are quite entire on the edges, the under one being erect, and 

 the upper one having no lateral bones. The nostrils are in the 

 middle, between the jaw and eye. The eyes are globular, and 

 rather small, with circular pupils. The gill-covers are rounded 

 behind, and each consists of two plates. Their membranes are 

 exposed to view. 



The scales are dotted and of moderate size. Above each ven- 

 tral fin there is a large scale-like appendant. The back forms a 

 high arch, the most elevated part of which is at the commence- 

 ment of the fin. The tail slopes rather suddenly at the fin be- 

 hind the vent. The lateral line runs nearly along the middle of 

 the side, with a very slight bend downwards. 



