SILUEIDiE. 123 



FAMILY SILXJRIDJE. (Giinth. Cat. vol. v.) 



This family is a large one, and very numerously 

 represented in Indian waters. It is (like the 

 Cyprmidae) essentially a fresh-water group of fishes ; 

 but some few species belonging to it are also found in 

 salt water, keeping, however, usually near the coast. 



Geogeaphical Disteibution. Members of this 

 family are found in most tropical and temperate 

 regions, including Africa, America, the East Indies, 

 and Australia. One species only is found in the south- 

 eastern parts of Europe. 



Chae. The Sihiridse are to be distinguished chiefly 

 by the absence of scales ; but they have sometimes 

 bony plates on certain parts of the body. 



They are provided with barbels, often of great 

 length, and generally numerous (6 or 8). 



They have frequently a second dorsal fin which is 

 gristly, or adipose, and without rays, and their mouths 

 are furnished with teeth, which, however, vary much 

 in form and disposition. 



GENUS CLAEIAS. 



Hab. Africa and the East Indies. 



Chae. No adipose fin. Dorsal fin long, extendin 

 from the neck to the caudal. Anal long. 



Barbels 8, vrz., one pah' of nasal, one of maxillary 

 and two pairs of mandibular barbels. 



Pectoral fin with a pungent spine. 



CT 



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