Perilampus. 



INDIAN CYPRINID^. 



399 



XII. — Perilampus thermophilus, J. M. 

 t. 54. f. 19. . 



This curious little species was found in hot springs at Pooree by Mr. 

 Cumberland, by whom two specimens were presented to the Medical Society, 

 and afterwards obligingly submitted to me by the Secretary, Dr. Goodeve. 



The head is directed obliquely upward, and the tail downward. The 

 caudal fin is however imperfect in both the specimens. 



Two short cirri in front of the upper jaw, and two long setaceous bristles 

 at the angles of the mouth ; thirty-one scales along the lateral line, and seven 

 rows of scales from the base of the ventrals to the dorsum ; chin rounded and 

 placed in front of the mouth. The fin rays are, 



D.8:P.9:V.8: A.7 :C—? 



The temperature of the springs in which this species is very common was 

 remarked by Mr. Cumberland to be 112° Faht. but they are said to die when 

 placed in water heated to 120° Faht. 



The last three species from the small size of the anal fin should, were we 

 to be guided by that character alone, be placed with the Leuciscs ; but the 

 small and obliquely raised head, peculiar form of body, and opposite position 

 of the dorsal and anal fins, are characters which are not to be overlooked. 



On the other hand, there are species placed with other genera which might 

 be said to belong to this, as Cyprinus daniconius among the Leuciscs, and 

 Opsarius leucerus ; the first from having the lateral stripes of the Perilamps, 

 and the second from its obliquely raised head; but in Cijp. daniconius the dorsal 

 fin is opposite to the ventrals and the head is large, and although Opsarius 

 leucerus has the head as well as the habits of a Perilamp, yet it has the 

 elongated and slender form of an Opsa?ius, with the dorsal opposite to the 

 anal, characters which separate it from the Leuciscs. 



