310 gangetic fishes. Order V. 



ish lobes, and contains nineteen distinct rays, besides some 

 short compacted ones. 



V. Division. — Puntius. 



Fishes of the genus Cyprinus, without any resemblance to 

 other genera, of a small size, and marked by a few large deep 

 coloured spots. 



The fishes of this division among the natives of Bengal have 

 the generic name of Pungti, and are very common through- 

 out the Gangetic provinces. They rarely reach four inches in 

 length, and, although all eaten, are considered as of little value. 

 Like those of the last division, they all have oblong bodies, 

 with a moderate depth ; and, although all compressed, are of a 

 good width and strong form. The head is oval and smooth. 

 The tendrils, when any exist, are much shorter than the head. 

 The jaws protrude in opening. The lateral line runs either on 

 or above the middle of the side. The dorsal fin is near the 

 middle of the fish, the anal is very short, and that of the tail 

 consists of two lobes. 



45th Species Cyprinus sophore. Plate XIX. Fig. 86. 



An opaque Cyprinus of the Puntius kind, with a diffuse gold- 

 en spot on the gill-covers ; with a black spot at the end of the 

 tail, and another at the root of the dorsal fin ; and with the se- 

 cond ray of that fin smooth behind. 



The Sophore, of the Sangskrit language, is a beautiful little 

 fish, very common in ponds. It is rather deep in proportion to 

 its length, and a little more prominent above than below. Its 

 colour above is greenish, with a gloss of silver, and below en- 

 tirely of the latter colour. Besides the five spots mentioned in 

 the specific character, it has little else remarkable in its colours. 

 The fins have more or less of a yellow tinge, sometimes below, 



