FAMILY SILURID^E. 177 



(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



Genus Xirichthys, Cuv. et Vol. Head and body compressed, trenchant. Head longer than high ; 

 truncated in front. A single long uniform dorsal. Teeth in a single row in the jaws ; the ante- 

 rior longest. Tongue and palate smooth ; pharyngeals paved. . 

 X. lineatus. (Cr/v. et Val. Vol. 14, p. 50.) A milk-white spot on the sides, from which descend lines 

 alternately pale and deep red. Cheeks with bluish lines. Fins red. Length 5 or 6 inches. South- 

 Carolina. 



SOFT-RAYED FISHES. 



All the fin rays soft and cartilaginous, with the exception sometimes of the first in the dorsal 

 and the first in the pectoral fins. These rays of an articulated structure, and generally 

 more or less branched at their extremities. 



ORDER II. ABDOMINAL. 



The ventrals behind the pectorals, and not attached to the humeral bone. 



FAMILY SILURID^. 



Skin naked, and covered with a mucous secretion. Head depressed, and generally enlarged, 

 with several fleshy filaments. A second adipose dorsal often present. The intermaxilla- 

 ries, suspended under the ethmoid bone, form the edge of the upper jaw. First ray of 

 the dorsal and pectoral fins usually a strong articulated spine, with a complicated move- 

 ment. 



Obs. This family contains at present about three hundred species, arranged under thirty- 

 three genera, almost all inhabiting muddy fresh-water streams and lakes. They are sluggish 

 in their movements, and depend more upon stratagem than swiftness to seize their prey. Some 

 of the characters assigned to the family must be received with certain modifications. In some 

 genera, the skin is not entirely naked, for the lateral line is covered with bony plates ; and in 

 others, these plates nearly cover the whole body. 



The fishes of this family are known in this country under the popular names of Cat-fish 

 (or simply Cats), Bull-heads, Bull pouts, Horned pouts, etc. Their flesh is generally 

 esteemed, but its greatest merit appears to be derived from the aids offered by the culinary 

 art. To the ichthyologist on the sea-shore, it is meagre and tasteless. 



Fauna — Part 4. 23 



