BAIKAL COMEPHORUS. 77 



cartilaginous rays : the pectoral fins lax, very long, 

 reaching half down the body, and furnished with 

 very slender, stiff rays : the first dorsal fin is very 

 small ; the second larger, and furnished with fifteen 

 elongated bristle-like rays stretching beyond the 

 membrane : tail bilobate, of a stronger nature than 

 the fins: lateral line nearer the back than the 

 belly. Native of the lake Baikal, where it was dis- 

 covered by Dr. Pallas. From its conformation it 

 appears to be capable of swimming swiftly, and, 

 perhaps, of occasionally springing out of the water 

 somewhat in the manner of a flying-fish. 



