430 INDIAN CYPRINID^. Sarcohorints- 



smooth abdomen of the two first species of this group presents to the 

 narrow serrated abdominal ridge of the Clupeida. 



The stomach is equal to about half the entire length of the animal, and 

 the intestine from the stomach to the vent only about half the length of the 

 stomach itself, and separated from that organ, which it rivals in capacity, 

 merely by a stricture. 



The liver and other large glands whose functions are supposed to 

 facilitate digestion are extremely small in this species, though it is possessed 

 of an insatiable carnivorous appetite ; nor have I found in CyprinidcB, in 

 general, those glands bear any proportion to the size of the stomach, or the 

 nature of the food in different species. 



This species occurs in all parts of Assam, in the Kosi, the Jumna, the 

 Ganges, and the Soane rivers ; in which last Buchanan says it attains the size 

 of a Herring, and is called Trout by the English, chiefly from the spots on the 

 sides, and its fine flavor. For the latter I cannot answer ; but as the species 

 of this group are not much esteemed by the natives, I suspect it owes its 

 imagined sweetness, in some degree, to its supposed resemblance to Trout. 

 Notwithstanding the beauty of its appearance, its habits are such as to render 

 it very objectionable in fish ponds. 



XI. — Opsarius megastomus. 

 t. 48. f. 5. 

 Cyp. bola, Buch. 



Mouth large, several transverse green bars and a yellow longitudinal 

 streak on either side ; the suborbitar plates are elongated posteriorly ; apex of 

 the lower jaw sharp, and received into a notch in that of the upper jaw, 

 which is longer. The fin rays are, 



D.IO: P.16: V.9 : A.ll : C.19. 



