CLASS PISCKS. 413 



anal, on the contrary, is very long, and extends under 

 the whole tail, which is long and slender. 



But a few species are known, which have six or 

 eight barbels. It is remarkable, that when there are 

 eight, there is one pair attached to the base of the 

 maxillary barbels ; the four of the lower jaw are in 

 pairs one behind the other '. 



We observe in some of these fishes certain globules, 

 which appear to be their eggs, and which adhere to 

 their thorax by pedicles. 



Loricaria, L. 



Thus named in consequence of the hard and angu- 

 lar plates by which their body and their head are 

 completely cuirassed, are otherwise distinguished 

 from the cuirassed siluri, such as callichthys and 

 doras, by having the mouth pierced under the muzzle. 

 It is with that of synodontis that this mouth exhibits 

 the greatest analogy ; small intermaxillaries suspended 

 under the muzzle, and mandibular bones, transverse 

 and not united, support some long and flexible teeth, 

 which terminate in hooks ; a broad membranous 

 circular veil surrounds the aperture ; the pharyngeal 

 bones are furnished with numerous teeth, en pave. 

 The true opercula are immoveable, as in aspredo, but 

 two small mobile external plates seem to perform 



1 Silurus aspredo, L. Platystacus loems, Bl., Seb. III. xxix 

 9 and 10. Platyst. cotylephorus, Bl. 372. Silurus hexadactylus, 

 Lacep. v. p. 82. The Platystacus verrucosus, Bl. 373. 3, differs 

 from the others in having a shorter tail and anal. 



