Sijsiomus. INDIAN CYPRINID^. 381 



posterior cell of the air-vessel terminates in a sharp point. Systomus chrysosomus 

 of the synopsis is probably a variety only of this species, which is generally 

 distributed throughout the rivers and ponds of all parts of India, sometimes 

 weighing as much as two pounds, but generally much smaller ; it is however 

 taken in vast abundance in some places, which makes up for its deficiency in 

 size ; it is considered a sweet, wholesome food. 



ri. — Systomus chrysopterus, J. M. 



A short, well formed little species with red pectoral and ventral fins, with- 

 out cirri or spots ; each operculum tinged with red ; upper parts of the body 

 olive green, below silvery. The fin rays are, 



D.9 : P.13: V.9 : A.7: C.18. 

 Twenty three scales along the lateral line, and eight in an oblique line from the 

 base of the ventrals to the dorsum ; the second ray of the dorsal spinous, but 

 smooth behind. This species would require to be further examined ; it abounds 

 in the Bramaputra in Lower Assam, in the early part of the cold season. 



III. — Systomus tetrarupagus, J. M. 

 t. 44. f. 3. 



Cyp. titius, Buch. P. G. Borajalee of the Assamese. 



Depth of the body compared to the entire length, including the head and 

 caudal, as one to three ; body equally arched above and below, a black spot at 

 either end of the lateral line. The fin rays are, 



D.IO : P.12 : V.9 : A.7 : C.20. 



The stomach is a narrow fleshy tube, ending in a still narrower dark colovued 

 intestine ; which, together with the stomach, is not much above the length of 

 the body. 



This is a very common species in the Bramaputra, and is found in great 

 abundance along with the last described. 



u u 



