CYPRINID2E. 
105 
Barbels very small, the two rostral pairs beneath 
the end of the snout. 
Colour dark brown, with darker blotches. 
2. Homaloptera brucei. 
Hab. Southern India. 3| inches. 
Char. Scales 70? 
Snout broad and depressed, with the margin obtuse. 
Kostral barbels short, on the edge of the snout ; 
the pair at the corners of the mouth rather bigger. 
Colour dull olive, yellowish below. Body with 
large brown blotches. 
The next, and last, group of the family Cyprinidse, 
are the Cobitidina, or Loaches. 
They might almost deserve to be ranked as a 
separate family, but the line of demarcation is so 
faintly defined, that they have been included in the 
family of the Cyprinidse. The most distinctive pecu- 
liarity among them lies in the air-bladder, which is 
partially, or entirely, enclosed in a bony capsule. 
They live altogether at the bottom of the water, 
and many of them bury themselves in sand or 
mud. They are generally small, and of no great 
importance, or interest, although the species inhabit- 
ing Indian fresh waters are numerous. 
It will suffice therefore to give a list of the various 
species as yet known, without entering into any 
detailed descripton. 
Char. Mouth surrounded by six, or more, 
barbels. Anal fin short. Scales small, or rudimen- 
tary, or wanting altogether. 
