Gonorhijnchus. INDIAN CYPRINID^. 369 



peculiarities, although perhaps more remarkably developed in this than 

 in any other group, do not alone belong to the Gonorhynchs, but are in some 

 degree shared by the no less remarkable group Oreinus. Both seem to possess 

 in the highest degree a structure that should enable them to survive in situa- 

 tions where the proper element of fishes is most disturbed, and most exempt 

 from the extraneous objects which constitute the ordinary food of their class ' 

 Whether any other kind of fishes may yet be found in still higher altitudes 

 than those at which the Gonorhynchs and Mountain Barbels disappear, is a 

 problem in the distribution of this class of animals, that travellers in the Hi- 

 malaya, and other lofty regions must decide. In the limpid streams which 

 Mr. Griffith passed with Captain Pemberton, at elevations of from six to eight 

 thousand feet in Boutan, no inhabitants were found; and both here and at 

 Simla, as well as in Kemaon, the Gonorhynchs and Mountain Barbels have not 

 been found at greater altitudes than six thousand feet above the level of the 

 sea, where we may presume they disappear ; but from that altitude down- 

 wards to the plains, they constitute the prevailing forms that have hitherto 

 been met with in the waters. 



I. — GONORHYNCHUS GOBIOIDES, J. M. 



t. 43. f. 1. 



Herilwa of the Assamese. 



This is the shortest and most robust species of the group, and corresponds 

 in its figure considerably with the Gudgeons. It is probably the species named 

 Cyprinus mosario by Buchanan, but as that author has not left a figure of the 

 species he alluded to, or any other description than merely the number of the 

 fin rays, and the absence of cirri, his name could only be adopted with doubt. 



The length of the head is equal to the altitude of the body, and in pro- 

 portion to its length as one to four. Tlie back and lower margin are equally 

 arched, and the head is prolonged in front of the mouth, where it terminates in 



a soft fleshy snout. The lower surface of the head is flat, containing the 



R r 



