OCR Text |
Show 714 SURGEON F. DAY ON THE [Dec. 5, is placed transversely across the body of the anterior vertebrae. It has an expanded globular portion on either side enclosed in a bony capsule, and with a transverse connecting tube. Geographical distribution.-Central India, Jumna, and Ganges, and through Burmah to the Malay archipelago. Genus BAGARIUS, CUV. et Val. Air-vessel small, consisting of two round portions situated on either side of the body of the anterior vertebrae and partially enclosed in bone. (For a detailed description, see Taylor in 'Gleanings in Science,' 1830.) Geographical distribution.-Throughout the large rivers of India. Genus PSEUDECHENEIS, Blyth. Air-vessel in two rounded lateral portions, each of which is enclosed in a bony capsule. Geographical distribution.-The Subhimalayas below Darjeeling, and on the opposite side of the Brahmaputra, on or near the Khasya hills. Genus G L Y P T O S T E R N U M , M'Clelland. Air-vessel in two rounded lateral portions and enclosed in bony capsules. GLYPTOSTERNUM STRIATUM, M'Clelland. I have obtained this species with from nine to eleven anal rays, and I suspect G. reticulatus and G. pedinopterum, M'Clell., to be synonyms. It is found in the rivers of the lower plateau of the Himalayas, down to those of the plains; and a most remarkable difference is perceptible in specimens from these two situations. Only small ones are taken on the hills; and these have the pectoral and ventral rays plaited inferiorly, more especially in the young, evidently to enable them to adhere to the rocks, and by these means, with the assistance of the adhesive sucker on the chest, to withstand the impetuosity of the mountain-torrents. I took larger ones in the Beas near the plains ; and in them this plaiting was either very indistinct or entirely absent, whilst there cannot be a doubt as to the identity of the species. GLYPTOSTERNUM DEKKANENSE, Gunther. I found this species tolerably abundant in the Jumna, near where it emerges from the Sewalik hills. GLYPTOSTERNUM MODESTUM, sp. nov. D.JIO. P. I V. 6. A.f. C. 15. Length of head £, of caudal T 2 T, height of body j2^ of the total length. Eyes small, superior, situated in the middle of the length of the head. |