404 INDIAN CYPRINID.^;. Sarcohorincs . 



responding tendency to carnivorous habits ; its food being, according to Mr. 

 Yarrell, " worms, molluscous animals, and insects, with some vegetable matter." 

 Leuciscus alhurnus, another European species, the dorsal of which is placed 

 opposite to the commencement of a large anal, possesses a blind appetite for 

 insects to such a degree as to render it an excellent amusement for young 

 fly-fishers, and the activity of this species in seizing insects is the poetical 

 theme of all field naturalists. This species may also, as well as Cyprinus 

 cultratus, Lin., be referred either to the Perilamps or to the Opsarions ; but 

 this question I leave to be determined by the naturalists of Europe, where 

 these species are found. 



The position of the dorsal and size of the anal therefore become natural 

 characters, and appear sufficient to enable us to discriminate clearly between 

 the Leuciscs and the adjoining groups. 



For the right application of these characters, it is necessary to state that we 

 must regard those cases in which the first ray of one fin is opposite to the last 

 ray of the other, and vice versa, as opposite fins ; and thus we shall very rarely 

 have occasion to remark the position of the dorsal as opposite to the interval 

 between the ventrals and anal, without being more or less opposite to one or 

 other of the latter fins. When such a case happens, the species must be re- 

 garded as a Leucisc if the anal be small, and either Opsarion or Perilamp if 

 the anal be large. 



Cyprinus clcmiconius has the form of a Leucisc, with the markings of a 

 Perilamp on the sides. In Buchanan's collection there is a figure of another 

 variety which I have not met with, Anjana of the natives, P. G. 328, which 

 in the synopsis I have placed with the Leuciscs under the name of L. lateralis, 

 but which we might have equal reasons for placing with the Perilamps. It 

 has in fact the mouth and lateral streaks of the latter genus, with the general 

 form and fins of a Leucisc, so that it would be just as accurate to place it in one 

 genus as in the other. In size and general form it corresponds precisely with 

 Cyprinus daniconius, but differs from it in having the head more compressed, 



