206 
THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
iii the adult. Below the mandibulae is an oval suctorial disk, the transverse diameter of which is 
rather more thau that of the orbit. One pair of fleshy cirri exists on the snout, and a second pair 
at angles of the maxillae. In the skeleton the maxilla is broad, with a thin anterior edge, and an 
external extremity inferiorly very concave. The lower jaw is also transverse, broad, flat above, 
rather concave below, and at its external superior margin also concave. Owing to the great width 
of the lower jaw a hollow exists under the chin, and here the suctorial disk is situated. The 
nostrils are nearer to the orbits than they are to the end of the snout, the posterior is round, the 
anterior tubular. Interorbital space nearly flat from side to side, and between it and the snout is 
a deep transverse furrow. 
Teeth—The inferior pharyngeal teeth are sharp, curved, and in three rows, 2, 4, 5 ] 5, 4, 2, 
the long plate above them is of an arrow-headed shape, directed posteriorly. 
Fins.—The dorsal is situated rather nearer the snout than it is to the base of the caudal, and 
a little in advance of the ventrals, higher anteriorly than posteriorly, its base destitute of scales, 
and its first three rays flexible though undivided. Pectorals inserted sub-horizontally. Anal 
short, situated entirely in the posterior fourth of the body, its commencement being midway 
between the posterior extremity of the pectoral and the termination of the lower caudal lobe. 
Caudal large, with a broad base, emarginate : its base scaled. 
S cales—Large. 
Lateral line—Nearly straight from the upper margin of opercle to the centre of the caudal, 
and nearer to the back than it is to the abdominal surface. 
Colours—Back deep olive, fading to dirty white along the abdomen, and a wide dull leaden 
blue stripe passing along the lateral line, and the four central caudal rays, where it is of a shot 
green. Cheeks and under surface of mouth pinkish or flesh coloured. Disk dull yellow, and a 
slight yellow tinge extends along the abdomen. Anal bright yellow, with minute black points 
between the rays : base of pectoral and ventral dull red, the remainder of the fins slate colour. 
This fish is found in the rivers of the plains, but more abundantly, and up to eight inches in 
length, in the mountahi streams. The Rev. Henry Baker, from whom I received my hill speci¬ 
mens, informs me that amongst the Europeans it goes by the name of “ the hill trout,” and that 
it takes a worm pretty freely. 
Habitat—-Rivers and mountain streams in Malabar. 
Group Labeones, Bleeker. 
Genus ROHITA, Cuv. and Val. 
Rohitodes, Bleeker. 
Branchiostegals, three : pseudohranchise. Body elliptical or moderately elongated. Mouth destitute 
of teeth: gape oval: lower jaw thin, and without a tubercle at the symphysis: postlabial sulcus simple. 
Lips crenated or fringed, those of the two jaws continuous, and without lateral lobes ; the end of the 
lower jaw uncovered. Preorbital bone touches the margin of the orbit. Cirri four ( Rohita , Cuv. & Val.), 
of which one pair are on the snout, the other on the maxilla: or only one pair present ( Rohitodes , Bleeker), 
which are situated on the maxillae. Pharyngeal teeth in three series. Dorsal fin moderate, or elon¬ 
gated, destitute of bony rays, and situated before the commencement of the ventral. Scales large or 
moderate. 
