88 SILURID^. 



is vertical to the spine ; the anal is as long as, and terminates in the 

 same vertical with, the adipose tin. Caudal deeply forked. The 

 pectoral spine is somewhat stronger and shorter than that of the dor- 

 sal fin ; humeral process of moderate size, pointed behind. Mucous 

 cavity in the axil with two foramina. The ventral fins extend some- 

 what beyond the origin of the anal. 



Japan, 

 rt. Twenty-three inches long. Purchased of Mr. Jami-ach. 



/3. The upper jaw somewhat longer than the lower ; occipital process 

 covered vnth. thin skin. 



2. Liocassis crassilabris. 



D. 1/7. A. 18. P. 1/8. 



Snout produced, subconical, with the upper jaw projecting beyond 

 the lower, its extremity and the upper lip being soft and fleshy ; 

 mouth transverse, situated at the lower side of the snout. The length 

 of the head is a little less than one-fourth of the total (without 

 caudal) ; it is nearly as high as broad, with the crown compressed, 

 and with the sides sloping obliquely outwards. Eyes of moderate 

 size, without free orbital margin ; their diameter is one-haK of the 

 length of the snout, and one-third of that of the postorbital portion 

 of the head ; the width of the interorbital space is not much less 

 than the length of the snout. The upper side of the head and the 

 nape are covered with thick skin : the basal bone of the dorsal spine 

 touches the occipital process, and both are nearly of the same length. 



Teeth viUiform : the intermaxillary band is thrice as broad as long ; 

 vomerine band immediately behind, horseshoe-shaped, as wide as 

 that of the intermaxillaries. The posterior nostril is nearer to the 

 eye than to the extremity of the snout, and its barbel is slender, 

 somewhat longer than the eye. Anterior nostril close to the ex- 

 tremity of the snout, above and inwards from the maxillary barbel, 

 which is half as long as the head ; maudibulary barbels still shorter. 

 The gill-membranes are united for a short distance only. 



Trunk somewhat compressed, its greatest depth being equal to the 

 length of the head ; the least depth of the tail is only one-third of 

 the height of the body, and the length of the free portion of the tail, 

 between adipose and caudal fins, is one-sixth of the total (without 

 caudal). 



Dorsal spine rather strong, slightly serrated behind, the teeth 

 pointing downwards ; its length is three-fourths of that of the head ; 

 adipose fin much longer than anal, nearly one-fourth of the total 

 length (without caudal). Caudal with the lobes roimded, not split to 

 the base. Pectoral spine somewhat stronger and shorter than that 

 of the dorsal fin, smooth along its outer edge, but strongly serrated 

 along the inner one ; humeral process pointed behind, half as long 

 as the pectoral spine. The length of the pectoral fin is four-fifths 

 of that of the head. Porus axillaris very distinct. The ventral fins 

 extend to the origin of the anal. Coloration uniform. 

 a. Seven and a half inches long. China. Presented b^- Dr. A. Giinther. 



