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Show 584 SURGEON F. DAY O N INDIAN FISHES. [Nov. 26, Lateral line in a single tube in each scale, but only distinctly in the anterior third of the body ; still a rudiment of it is perceptible at irregular intervals as far as the centre of the base of the caudal fin. A small row along the base of the dorsal fin. Colours. Light greenish superiorly, becoming white along the abdomen. A brilliant broad silvery band extends from the eye along the side to the root of the caudal fin. A small black spot is present at the base of the dorsal fin at its anterior margin, and a large black finger-mark at the root of the tail. The coloration is essentially that of an Ambassis. This elegant little fish does not seem to grow to any large size. At Kurnool, in October, females 2 inches in length were found full of ova. LLab. Kurnool, in Madras ; some specimens have also been received from Arcot, showing that its geographical range is wide. This fish cannot be looked upon as a typical Barbus, but approaches that genus, as defined by Dr. Giinther, more nearly than any other. BARBUS NASHII, sp. nov. B.iii. D. 3/11. P.15. A. 3/5. C.19. L.l. 41. L. tr. U. Length of specimens up to 3-^ inches. Length of head i, of pectoral ^, of base of dorsal £, of base of anal y1^, of caudal 2 of the total length. Height of head ^, of body ^, of dorsal fin i, of anal -^ of the total length. Eyes without any adipose lid ; diameter £ of length of head, 1 diameter from end of snout, 1| diameter apart. Mouth anteroinferior ; there is a slight thickening of the mucous membrane covering the jaws, but not sufficient to be termed horny; in fact it would be scarcely apparent were it not that it is of a dark colour; if the species grows much larger, which is doubtful, it may become horny. Lips thin, not fringed, no lateral lobe, no tubercle on symphysis, nor pores on the snout. No barbels. Pharyngeal teeth crooked, sharp, 5, 4, 3/3, 4, 5. Fins. Dorsal arises slightly in advance of the ventral, but does not extend so far as to above the commencement of the anal; the upper margin of the fin slightly concave, its third undivided ray articulated and weak. Caudal deeply forked. Scales. No enlarged ones along the base of the anal fin. Lateral line proceeds direct to the centre of the base of the caudal fin. Colours. Beddish brown along the back, and silvery over the abdomen. A black band passes from the eye to the centre of the base of the caudal fin. Fins whitish. A dark band along the middle third of the dorsal, and a dark edging to the caudal. This very pretty little fish was collected for me, amongst others, from the Fraserpett river, at the base of the Coorg Hills. Judging from its coloration, it is a small species and only found in hilly regions or along their bases. I have named it after Dr. Nash, to whom I am indebted for many specimens from the Coorg district. |