348 gangetic fishes. Order V. 



rounded ; each contains thirteen rays. The ventral fins are as 

 large as the pectorals, and are rounded ; each contains nine 

 rays, of which the first adheres to the second, and, like it, is un- 

 divided, as are also the third and ninth. The anal fin is near- 

 er the end of the tail than the vent, and has seven rays like 

 those on the back. The tail fin ends in a crescent, and has 

 about sixteen distinct rays, besides small compacted ones. 



86th Species. — Cyprinus balitoba. 



A Cyprinus of the Garra kind, without tendrils ; with the 

 pectoral fins rounded ; with a row of cloud-like spots on each 

 side, and a third along the back ; and with ten rays in the dor- 

 sal, and seven in the anal fin. 



The Balitora I have found in the rivers towards the north- 

 east of Bengal, where it grows to about two inches in length. 

 The form tapers to both ends. The whole is diaphanous ex- 

 cept the eyes, the gill-covers, the membrane lining the visceral 

 cavity, and the spine, which are coloured like silver. The spots 

 on the body consist of numerous black dots. The fins of the 

 back and tail are spotted. 



The head is blunt, short, depressed, dotted, and of moderate 

 thickness. The nose projects beyond the mouth, which is 

 small and transverse, and has fleshy lips. The eyes are far 

 back on the sides of the head, and are small and globular. 

 The membrane of each gill-cover, so far as I can perceive, has 

 only two rays. 



The ridge of the bach is convex. The belly is flat. The 

 tail is wedge-shaped. The lateral lines are straight. The 

 vent is before the middle. The scales adhere firmly, and, for 

 the size of the fish, are large ; but are so diaphanous as to be 

 scarcely distinguishable. 



The dorsal fin is on the middle of the back, and slopes be- 



