Apalopterince. INDIAN CYPRINID^. 423 



sides crossed with green bars, dorsal opposite to the ventrals, contains nine 

 rays and is preceded by a short detached spinous ray ; the first rays of the 

 pectorals separated by a broad expanse of the membrane of the fin. 



The alimentary canal of this curious species is long and convoluted in 

 circles round the cavity of the abdomen ; the coats of the stomach and intestines 

 are soft, so as to separate on the slightest touch of the forceps, and the contents 

 are dark coloured ; the air-vessel is long, and divided into two cells, the first 

 small and globular, the posterior cell long, and conical. Although there is 

 something doubtful about the habits of this species which, notwithstanding 

 the length of the intestines is said by the natives to be carnivorous, I have 

 ventured to place it conditionally in this genus. 



Ill— Sub.-Fam.— APALOPTERIN^, J.M. 



This sub-family comprises the Linnsean genus Cobitis, the Pcecilia of 

 Schneider, Cyprinodons of Lacepede, and two other small genera recently dis- 

 covered in India, 



They are distinguished as a natural group from preceding sub-families 

 by their slightly compressed bodies covered with a thick slimy mucous, by 

 the uniform softness of all the rays of their fins, and the peculiarities of the 

 head and branchial membrane, as well as by the circumstances attending the 

 air-vessel, which in some is wanting, in others encased in a bony cell, in others 

 divided by a longitudinal septum. 



The diversified character of the group may well entitle it to the denomi- 

 nation aberrant, independent of the sense in which that term is strictly 

 employed by writers on natural classification. 



Apart from the principles which those writers have laid down, it would 

 be difficult, if not impossible, as indeed it has proved to the greatest compara- 

 tive anatomist of modern times, to arrange according to their natural relation <; 



