INDIAN CYPRINID^. 



233 



to distinguish a natural group without some more general reference to 

 habits and structure. Not having been successful, I am obliged to resort to 

 another arrangement which appears to be more natural, and at the same 

 time equally obvious ; the caudal of the one sub-genus ( Cobitis 'propria ) being 

 entire, and that of the other (Schistura) bifid, or divided into two lobes 

 as in the ordinary Cyprins. Colour is here a no less important guide than 

 we have found it to be in Sarcohorince. Green disposed in bars and zones 

 crossing the body characterises all the Schisturcs except a single species 

 (Botia grandis, Gray) in which the colour is green, with oblong light 

 yellow spots, or rather short interrupted streaks, irregularly disposed in all 

 directions. 



The true Loaches ( Cobitis j)rop.) on the contrary are all brown, inclining 

 in different species to red or yellow, disposed in nebulous blotches or obscure 

 bars having a transverse tendency. 



27. The structure of the digestive organs in the Loaches and Schisturce 

 does not appear to be very different, but in the latter the intestine seems 

 to be somewhat longer than in the former, exceeding in the one genus the 

 length of the body, while in the other it falls short of this. In both, the 

 stomach is a small lunate sack placed cross-wise with regard to the body, with 

 both orifices in the front, thus differing in this peculiarity from all other 

 Cyprinidce that I have examined. The mouth is small, and placed in the lower 

 surface of the head, and surrounded by minute cirri. Besides the difference in 

 the caudal fins, length of intestine, and colour in the two sub-genera of 

 Cobitince, the body in Schistura is often arched above and below, and com- 

 pressed tlie same as in Cirrhinus and the generality of Cyprins, but in Cobitis 

 jwopria or true Loaches, it is almost cylindrical, and generally very long. Some 

 of the Schistura; are possessed of an air vessel placed as usual in the upper 

 part of the abdomen, of an oval shape, and divided into two lateral cells by a 



