﻿192 6ANGETIC FISHES. Older V. 



deeply divided into three narrow parallel processes, which ex- 

 tend along the back almost to the first fin. The two tendrils 

 from the nostrils, and two from the chin, are very short : the 

 four from the corners of the mouth are longer ;. and each from 

 its hinder side has a short membrane. The mouth is small, 

 and behind and below the extremity of the nose. The lips are 

 fleshy. The jaws have no perceptible teeth. The apertures of 

 each nostril are separated only by the tendril, and are nearer 

 the jaw than the eye. The eyes are far back, and high, and are 

 very small, with circular pupils. The gill-covers are tuberculat- 

 ed, as are their membranes, which are so thick that the number 

 of their rays cannot be ascertained. The apertures of the gills 

 are small. There is no slit under the throat. 



The back slopes very little toward the head. The belly is pro- 

 tuberant, and has two longitudinal blunt ridges, which are 

 smooth, all the rest of the fish being rough with tubercles. 

 The lateral lines are straight, and high on the sides. The vent 

 is nearly in the middla 



The first ray of the foremost back fin is a very strong two- 

 edged prickle, barbed before and behind. The hinder fin is 

 minute. Each pectoral fin, placed under the openings of the 

 gills, contains eight rays, of which the first is a strong prickle, in- 

 dented on both edges, but most deeply behind. Each ventral 

 fin has six rays, of which the first is short and undivided. The 

 three first rays of the fin behind the vent are undivided, and gra- 

 dually lengthen from the first, which is very short. The fin of 

 the tail contains about sixteen rays, the uppermost of which is 

 produced into a long bristle-like point. 



24th Species. — Pimelodus botius. 

 A Pimelodus with the fin of the tail divided into two equal 

 lobes ; with eight tendrils shorter than the head ; with an 



