SILURID^l. 145 



GENUS BATBACHOCEPHALUS. 



Chae. The anterior and posterior nostrils, on each 

 side, close together. 



Barbels, one pair only, rudimentary, inserted on the 

 chin. 



1. Batrachocephalus mino. 



Hab. Ganges. 1-| feet. 



Char. Anal rays 19. Dorsal and pectoral spines 

 serrated on both sides. Lower jaw projecting. 



The next group have, like the last, the anterior and 

 posterior nostril on each side close together, bnt with 

 a barbel between them. 



GENUS BAGAEIUS. 

 Char. Barbels eight. Head naked above. 



1. Bagarius yarrellii. "The Goonch." 

 Hab. Large rivers of India. Attaining 6 feet in 

 length. 



This huge creature has been caught over 250 lb, 

 in weight. H. Buchanan says of it, " It is a 

 very ugly animal, with lurid colours." A corre- 

 spondent to the c Pioneer ' wrote lately, describing 

 the sport afforded by this fish. He says the best bait 

 for it is the Spiny Eel or "Bahm" (Mastacemblus 

 armatus). " Like most siluroids this fish will only 

 bite from dark till about two hours after dark, when 

 if taken his maw will invariably be found empty ; 

 and then again from dawn till 8 o'clock. It seems 

 to feed on the young of a species of herring," 

 (probably Clupea chapra). 



