Cirrhinus. INDIAN CYPRINID^. 319 



corner of the orbit ; the mouth is similar to that of C. rohita, except that it is a 

 little smaller, and the two bony limbs of the lower jaw stronger, and their 

 transverse apophyses more massive. See t. 54, f. 5. 



Buchanan observed that a variety of Cyp. nandina occurs with twenty-three 

 rays in the dorsal instead of twenty-six. The variety alluded to is no doubt 

 the one here described; affinities run so close between several of the larger 

 species of Cirrhins that it is only by comparison of many individuals, that we 

 can arrive at satisfactory specific distinctions. This species was observed by 

 Buchanan in the Goruckpur district, on the northern frontier of Bengal ; the 

 individuals I met with in Assam, in March, were found in sandy streams which 

 they had entered probably for the purpose of spawning. They are seldom 

 seen so high in the Bramaputra as the rapids, and never, I believe, so low as to 

 come within the influence of the tides, which effect a change by the deposit of 

 mud instead of sand, no less remarkable in the bottoms and banks of rivers, 

 than in the character of the fresh water fishes which are found within their 

 influence. 



II. — Cyprinus nandina, Buch. 

 Pise. Gang. t. viii. f. 84. Nandiii of the fishermen. 



Length of the head compared to that of the body as one to three, forty- 

 four scales along the lateral line, and twelve in an oblique line from the base 

 of the ventrals to the dorsum, Avhich is much arched. The dorsal commences 

 on the most prominent part of the back, at a distance from the head, equal to 

 the length of that organ. The fin rays are, 



D.26:P.l6: V.9: A.7:C.19. 



The specimen from whicli this description is formed, was found by JMr. 

 Griffith in the great jeels on the northern side of Bengal. I think I have 

 met with it in the Bramaputra as high as Gowaliattee, but it disappears where 

 the currents become rapid, and the water more cool and clear. Buchanan 

 found it very abundantly in the marshes adjacent to the ruins of the ancient 



