Platycara. 



INDIAN CYPRINIDiE. 



427 



II. — Aplocheilus melastigmus, J. M. 

 t. 42. f. 3. 



Somewhat less than an inch in length, with a black spot at the root of 

 the dorsal, teeth small, and crowded at the sides of the mouth, with the outer 

 row slightly hooked, caudal entire, and rounded behind. The fin rays are, 



D.7 : P.IO : V.— ? A.22 : C.18. 



Alimentary canal as in the preceding species. 



II.— Gen. platycara, J. M. 

 Balitora, Gray. 



The head is flat, with the eyes placed on its upper surface ; the fins 

 are thick, opaque, and supported by soft and feeble rays ; the pectorals are 

 large, round, and broad, placed on fleshy pedicles ; the anal is small ; the 

 dorsal opposite the ventrals ; the body long and not compressed ; the tail 

 is long and the caudal bifid ; mouth soft, small, without teeth, and placed on 

 the lower surface of the head. Three species only are known, and two of 

 these are figured in Hardwicke's Illustrations, but from their forming a dis- 

 tinct type I have taken the liberty of introducing their figures to this paper. 



I. — Platicara maculata. 

 t. 49. f. 2. 



Balitora maculata. Gray, Hard. Illust. 

 t. 88. f. 8. 



Prominent, loose, flacid abdomen, obscure and irregular brown spots on 

 the sides, two small interrupted bars on the caudal, scales rather large, fins 

 except the anal and caudal, round. The fin rays are, 



D.8:P.17: V .9 : A.6 : C.19. 



