250 BURUA, ITS PEOPLE A.XD PRODUCTIONS. 



Nostrils as in Brachyrhynchiis. Two lateral linos on the coloured side, separated 

 by 13 rows of scales where most distant. A single one on the other. Brownish, with 

 a dark mark on the oj)ercle. 



liuriua. 



Order PHTSOSTOMI. 



Fumihj Siluridae. 



Subopcrcle absent. Margin of upper jaw formed by the prcmasillurics. Skin 

 covered with scales, or bony plates or tuTicrcles. 



The Siluridai or ' cat fishes ' (so-called from their whiskers, or barbels) are fond of 

 mnddy water, and from disuse, the eyes in many species, which inhabit muddy water, 

 seem to suffer from a sort of atrophy, and cease growing in the usual ratio. Some of 

 the fishes of this family ( C'larim and Saccolrani-hus) are amphibious breathers, like the 

 Ophiocephali, and reipiire access to the atmospheric air, else they become drowned if 

 unable to rise to the surface. T\\v air-vessels of some marine species yield a coarse 

 isinglass. The spines inflict severe wounds and are much ilreaded, as they are regarded 

 as poisonous. Wounds caused by the spines are undoubtedly painful and angry. 



A. Air-rt'ssel not inclosed in hone. 



a. A posterior adipose dorsal fin. 



Maceoxes, Bumeril. 



Mouth terminal, transverse. Eyes with free circular lids. Barbels 8 (2 nasal, 

 2 maxillaiy, 4 mandibular). A distinct and separate interneural shield on the nape, 

 closely counected to the basal bone of the dorsal fin. In some s])ecies wanting. Villi- 

 form teeth in jaws and palate. Dorsal fin with 1 spine and 7 rays. Pectoral with a 

 strong serrated spine. Ova small. 



M. AOE, Ham. Buch. 



Nga-gyoung. Burma. 



B. xii. ; D. ^-0; P. ^-Vu ; V. 6; A. 1213; C. 17. 



Upper jaw the longer. The maxillary barbels extend to beyond the base of the 

 caudal, the nasal half-way to the orbit, the outer mandibular one to the pectoral, and 

 the inner two-thirds as far. Dorsal spine as long as the head, finely serrated behind. 

 Colour plumbeous above, whitish below. Fins yellowish, externally stained dark. A 

 black spot, the size of the eye, on the dorsal. Grows to 3 feet. 



Bui'ma. 



M. Bltthii, Day. 



D. J--0; P. \; V. 6; A. 12; C. 17. 



Snout projecting. The maxillary barbels, which are the longest, only reach the 

 anterior margin of the orbit. A dark spot on the shoulder, and another at the base of 

 the adipose dorsal. Body indistinctly banded. 



The Tenasserim provinces. 



M. GULio, Ham. Buch. 



B. ix. ; D. iO; P. ^^ ; V. 6; A. 12-15; C. 17. 



Top of head granulated. The nasal barbels shorter than the head. The maxillary 

 reach to nearly the end of the ventral fin. The outer maxillary barbels longer than 

 the head, or the inner ones. Dorsal spine half as long as the head, serrated behind 

 and with one or two teeth before. Lurid bluish brown above, dull white below. 

 Fins usually black. 

 Burma. 



M. MicEOPHTHALMUs, Day. 



Nga-aik. 



B. X. ; D. ;0; P. i; V. C ; A. 12; C. 17. 



