402 ORDER MALACOPTERYG1I ABDOMINALES. 



SCHILBE 



Differ from the siluri proper, in having the body com- 

 pressed vertically, and a strong and dentated spine 

 at the dorsal. Their small and depressed head, the 

 nape of the neck suddenly raised, and the eyes 

 situated very low, give them a singular appearance. 



The only species yet known belongs to the Nile, 

 and its flesh is less disagreeable than that of the other 

 siluri of this river. They have eight barbels \ 



We may form a new subgenus of some American 

 species, with a round, blunt, small head, provided 

 with barbels, and the eyes almost imperceptible 2 . 



Mystus, Arted. and Lin. (First editions.) 



Are siluri, which, besides their first radiated dorsal, 

 have a second, which is adipose ; they are principally 

 composed of the Pimelodes and Doras, Lacep. 3 



Pimelodus, Lacep., 



Have the body invested solely with a naked skin, 

 without any lateral armature. 



This subgenus is still far too numerous in species, 



Ompok sduro'ide, of Lacep. V. i. 2. is a silurus whose folded dorsal 

 was not observed by the designer. 



1 Silurus mystus, Hasselq., Geoffr., Poissons, d'Egypt. pi. ii. f. 3. 

 and 4. Silurus auritus, Geoff. Id. f. 1. and 2. 



2 Silurus candiru, Spix. x. 1. Sil. ccecutiens, Id. ib. 2. 



These fishes have received the name of Machoiran in the French 

 colonies. Schn. p. 478, refers it erroneously to the Balista. 



