EIGENMANN: the PYGIDIID^, a family of south AMERICAN CATFISHES. 343 



the exact length, owing to the curves. This specimen is without pigment. The 

 eye is apparent only on account of the lens and its overlying hyaline skin. The 

 eye measures 2 mm. in diameter. This measurement is taken with the skin re- 

 moved. The eye is not pigmented. 



Another specimen measures 130 mm. It is also without pigment except in the 

 eye. The eye seems to be fully pigmented and measures about 2 mm. 



The third specimen measures 133 mm. The caudal and all but a small patch 

 on the dorsal surface of the caudal peduncle are without pigment. The region 

 from the caudal peduncle to the head is pigmented, but much more sparingly than 

 in normal specimens, and there are irregular pigment-free spots. The sides of the 

 head behind the eyes are free from pigment, the dorsal surface of the head and 

 snout are again pigmented. The eye is normally pigmented and measures a little 

 less than 2 mm. 



These specimens seem to be identical with the normal "Capitan" in all respects 

 except the color. 



As stated elsewhere, the "Capitan" is a fish of considerable importance on the 

 plains of Bogota. The fish are caught with long-handled dip-nets several feet in 

 diameter. The net is held in a slanting position by one man, one or several others 

 drive the fishes into the net by beating the water. From time to time the net is 

 raised and the fish removed. We supplemented this method by having the Indians 

 drag a small seine, which yielded many smaller specimens. All we caught were 

 about 80 mm. long or longer, i. e., we caught no very young ones. The Indians 

 also secured specimens by thrusting their hands and arms into the holes in the banks. 

 It has heretofore been recorded exclusively from the Plains of Bogota. Mr. Gon- 

 zales has sent two specimens from the Rio Chiquinquiere north of the plain. 



Genus VI. Pareiodon" Kner. (Plate XXXVII.) 

 Pareiodon Kner, Sb. Ak. Wiss. Wien, XVII, 1855, p. 160. 

 Centrophorus Kner, Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 1859, XVII, p. 167. 

 Astcmomycterus Guichenot, Rev. et Mag. Nat. Hist., XII, 1860, p. 525, fig. 2 



(pusillus) . 

 Pariodon GtJNTHER, Cat. Fishes Brit. Mus., V, 1864, p. 275. 



Type. — Pareiodon microps Kner. 



No mental barbels, no nasal barbel, two slender barbels at angle of mouth; 

 outer pectoral ray not prolonged beyond the other rays; gill-membrane confluent 

 with the isthmus, without a free fold in the middle, a narrow fold just below the 



^' Tvapda = cheek, oSoiis, 6 = tooth. 



