354 gangetic fishes. Order V. 



5th Species. — Cobitis dario. Plate XXIX. Fig. 95. 



A Cobitis with prickles under the eyes ; with six tendrils ; 

 and with transverse bars on the sides. 



The Dario (Dari) is found in the northern rivers of Bengal, 

 and grows to two or three inches in length. The form is more 

 prominent above than below, and compressed. The colours are 

 disposed in transverse bands, slanting obliquely backward along 

 the sides, and alternately yellow and covered with black dots. 

 All the fins are free from marks, except that of the tail, which 

 is yellow, with transverse black imperfect bands. The eyes are 

 yellow, dotted with black. 



The head is half oval, sloping above, and no wider than the 

 body. Under each eye are two short strong prickles, joined by 

 a membrane. Two of the tendrils hang from the corners of the 

 mouth, and four from the end of the nose. The mouth is circu- 

 lar, with jaws, which protrude in opening. The nostrils are in 

 the middle, between the eyes and nose, and each has two small 

 apertures. The eyes are far back, and flat. The gill-covers are 

 incapable of much motion ; nor can I distinguish any rays in 

 their membranes, which are thick. 



The back is arched. The lateral lines run straight along the 

 middle of the sides. The body is devoid of scales. 



The dorsal fin is near the middle of the back, and has eleven 

 rays, all nearly of the same length. The pectoral fins are low, 

 much smaller than the head, and sharp above : each contains 

 thirteen rays. The ventral fins are nearly as large as the pec- 

 torals, and near each other ; and each has eight rays. The anal 

 fin under the middle of the tail has seven rays, the first of which 

 is short, and the others of nearly equal lengths. The tail fin 

 is divided into two sharp lobes, and has eighteen distinct rays, 

 besides some short compacted ones. 



