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A Notice of " Indian Cyprinidce," being the Second Part of the Nine- 

 teenth volume of the Asiatic Researches. By Mr. John M'Clel- 

 LAND, Bengal Medical Service. Read February 17, 1841, to the 

 Boston Society of Natural History, by Dr. Humphreys Storer. 



We are almost entirely ignorant of the fresh-water fishes of many 

 of those countries, whose marine species are tolerably well known to 

 ichthyologists. The reason is obvious — the smallest sea-port has its 

 market constantly supplied with those species which are used for 

 food — the great proportion of such species, are taken along the 

 shores of the different countries, and but very few fluviatile fishes are 

 considered of sufficient value to be procured — so that, we are 

 compelled to learn from the zealous naturalist, who is actuated 

 by other motives than the expectation of pecuniary reward, the cha- 

 racters and habits of such species as inhabit the streams and rivers 

 and lakes. He therefore who attempts to elucidate a subject so 

 desirable to be known, recommends himself by the mere effort, to 

 our regard — should he succeed in his attempt, we ought not to with- 

 hold our gratification. 



Agassiz, whose name is a guarantee of the value of his^ labors, is 

 at this moment preparing a magnificent work upon the " Poissons 

 d'Eau Douce de I'Europe Centrale." In our own country. Dr. 

 Kirtland, like a true naturalist, with an enthusiasm proportionate to 

 the obstacles he encounters, is endeavoring to present you with 

 the " Fishes of the Western waters" — and I feel confident, when his 

 entire paper shall be published, although future research may, and 

 undoubtedly will point out errors, that it must be invaluable to 

 the American ichthyologist. 



While these observers are prosecuting their enquiries, we are sur- 

 prised to receive an elaborate paper upon the " Indian Cyprinidse," 



predecessor ; and had I had more time, I should almost as soon have thought of knocking off 

 the nose of the Apollo Belvidere to ascertain if the marble were Grecian or Italian (a curious 

 enquiry too,) as to have injured one of these noble pillars, to have learned whether it contain- 

 ed a dark green talc or a crystal of hornblende. I do not forget Wordsworth's famous lines 

 relative to the man who would " peep and botanise out o'er his mother's grave." But why 

 should an Indian geologist with mountains around him yet untouched by the hammer, waste 

 his time in putting to rights some little slips of those who have worked in quite a different 

 spirit. 



