A History of Agriculture in India v2.c69.s3.5

v2.c69.s3.5

‘The water-hog (Platanista gangetica, the porpoise) is another. This also is in all Hindustan rivers. It comes up suddenly out of the water; its head appears and disappears; it dives again and stays below, shewing its tail. Its snout is as long as the siyāh-sār’s and it has the same rows of small teeth. Its head and the rest of its body are fish-like. When at play in the water, it looks like a water-carrier’s bag (mashak). Water-hogs, playing in the Saru, leap right out of the water; like fish, they never leave it.