Perilampus. INDIAN CYPRINID^. 393 



distinct purple stripes extending from the branchial aperture to the extremity 

 of the caudal ; the colour of the back is bluish black, and of the abdomen red- 

 dish white or pink ; the caudal is almost entire, the middle rays being very 

 little shorter than the outer. Fin rays are, 



D.12:P.15: V.8: A.16:C.19. 

 Thirty -five scales along the sides in depressed oblique rows, and about fifteen 

 from the base of the ventrals to the dorsum. The mouth like the head is di- 

 rected upwards, and has a prominent knob on the apex of the lower jaw ; the 

 tongue is thick and corugated. 



The stomach of this fish is about half the length of the body, and terminates 

 in an intestine equal to about the length of the body. The intestine is 

 reflected over upon the stomach, and from thence extends straight to the vent. 

 In the stomach of all those I have examined I found nothing but the remains 

 of insects, such as live on the surface of waters. 



The liver extends in a single lobe alons; the surface of the stomach, to 

 which also the spleen adheres loosely. There is a peculiarity in the air vessel of 

 this species, for instead of being a distinct organ it seems to be either wanting, 

 or merely formed by a duplicature of the lining membrane of the abdomen 

 which forms an air cavity under the spine. 



This species is found throughout Assam in small indolent streams, as well 

 as in the larger rivers. It is also abundant in some parts of Bengal, though 

 . it is one of the few species that escaped Buchanan's observation. It usually 

 attains about three inches in length, but its great depth and abundance 

 in some places renders it of value as an article of food. 



Perilampus ^quipinnatus,* J. M. 

 t. 60. f. 1. 



For this very well marked species we are indebted to Mr. Griffith's 

 researches in Assam, although it escaped my notice until very recently, 



* Etym. JEqualitas and pinna ; in allusion to the dorsal and anal being of equal size. 



z z 



