CYPRINIPiE. 
41 
A. Species with four Barbels. 
These we may further subdivide, according as the 
first long ray of the dorsal fin is (a) strong and bong ; 
(b) serrated on the inner edge ; or (c) feeble and flexible. 
(a) Principal rag of the dorsal fin osseous and strong. 
1. Barbus mosal. The Mahaseer. 
This fish is to be found generally throughout India 
in rapid streams and deep pools, not far from hilly 
regions. 
It is the fish best known to the Indian sportsman, 
as it grows to a large size, and will take a bait well ; 
it has been known to exceed a hundred pounds in 
weight. It affords good sport, and fights gamely 
when hooked. Neither is it to be despised when on 
the table. So much has been written by various 
authors on the subject of the Mahaseer, that I need 
not here pause to describe its habits.* 
Under the name of Barbus mosal I have included 
several varieties, which may perhaps deserve to be 
reckoned as distinct species. 
There seem, however, as yet, to have been no suffi- 
cient differences pointed out by which to identify each 
variety separately with any amount of certainty, as 
they merge one into another, and show considerable 
variation among themselves. I have preferred there- 
fore to place them all under one name, which includes 
the following varieties : — 
* A most useful and interesting work on this subject, entitled ‘ The 
Rod in India’ by PI. S. Thomas, of the Madras Civil Service, was 
published at Mangalore in 18?:3. 
