INDIAN CYPRINID^. 453 



macrolepis, o. c. t. x. f. 2. appears to resemble very much a species figured 

 in Buchanan's collection under the name of Cypiinus tor, which is however, 

 according to Buchanan, a large fish, while Heckel's species is only five inches 

 long. I now come to M. Heckel's new genus Schhothorax, Etym. 2)(<^f.) 

 split {spalten) Oojpa^ a shield {pan%er), from a membranous gusset in front of 

 the anal fin, thus separating the scales slightly on either side of the vent ; a 

 character which I have overlooked in my genus Oreinus. I regard this curi- 

 ous peculiarity as an indication of some remarkable function or analogy. 

 When in addition to this singular structure the scales on either side of the 

 anal are enlarged, as in all M. v. Heckel's species, the character may be con- 

 spicuous enough ; but in the three species I have met with, the scales, as in most 

 Cyprinida, continue to diminish progressively from the sides to the hinder 

 part of the body, where they are smallest : the membranous cleft however 

 is perceptible ; I would therefore regard those species whose scales are not 

 enlarged on either side of the anal cleft, as still belonging to the sub- 

 genus Oreinus, especially as INI. v. Heckel observes with regard to Cypr'miis 

 Richarclsonii, Gray, which I had ranked with the latter group, that it agrees 

 nearly with his Schkot/iorax plagiostomus, but as the great scales near the 

 anal appear from the figure to be wanting, it cannot be included in that 

 genus (see note, Fisch. Casch. p. 16). Instead of the sub-genus Oreinus being 

 ranked under the head of the Barbels of Cuvier, as it stands in the pre- 

 ceding pages, it should now become a sub-genus of JM. v. Heckel's new 

 group, of which the following are the characters : — 



SCHIZOTHORAX, Hcckcl. 



P'our cirri, one at each angle of the moutii and two at tiie middle of the maxillary bones; 

 dorsal and anal short, the first preceded by a bony ray serrated hehiiul : scales small ; the latter 

 part of the belly terminating in a membranous space, in which the vent is placed, bounded laterally 

 by large scales, which also encircle tlie base of the anal lin. 



3 r 



