38 Notes on the Genus Hara. [No. 1, 



Hara filamentosa, B 1 y t h, as I have already remarked in the 

 Proceedings of the Zoological Society, is the same as Hara (Pimelodus) 

 conta of Hamilton Buchanan. This reduces the Indian 

 species to two, to which, however, I will add a third one, Hara 

 Jerdoni, a new species which I shall describe and figure from a 

 specimen given me by Dr. Jerdon, who lately obtained two in 

 the Sylhet district. 



Before, however, describing the new species, I propose offering some 

 remarks on the genus Hara, as it does not appear that any Indian 

 specimens have reached European Museums, neither have any 

 drawings been published. Amongst the original sketches in H. B. 

 MS. collection is a very good figure of the Pimelodus Hara, H. B. 



The genus has been referred to the group Bayarina defined by 

 gill membranes not confluent with the skin of the isthmus, their 

 posterior margins being free, even when united together, &c, but 

 in reality it forms a portion of the group JBhimoglanina, defined by 

 gill membranes confluent with the skin of the isthmus, anterior and 

 posterior nostrils close together with a cirrus between ; rayed dorsal, 

 if present, short, and belonging to the abdominal portion of the 

 vertebral column ; the ventrals (except in one genus, so far as is 

 known) being inserted behind it. 

 Ge:n us — Haka, B 1 y t h. 



Head somewhat depressed, osseous superiorly, mouth small, ter- 

 minal or sub -inferior, gill openings narrow, and the membrane 

 confluent with the skin of the isthmus ; cirri eight, the maxillary 

 ones having broad bases ; eyes small, subcutaneous. Yilliform teeth 

 in the jaws, and in a band on the palate. First dorsal with a 

 serrated osseous spine and 5 or 6 rays ; adipose dorsal of moderate 

 length, ventral with six rays, and rather short, caudal forked. 



The geographical distribution of the genus in the British Indian 

 Empire, appears to be from the Mahanuddee on the west to the Sal- 

 win in the east, whilst I have taken them as far inland as Mandalay in 

 Upper Burma. I have not obtained specimens in any of the Madras 

 rivers, although one would contend that they are probably present 

 in the Kistna and Godavery, whose fish fauna in the siluroid family 

 generally resembles that of the Mahanuddee. 



