142 SILITRID^. 



base of the adipose fin nearly as long as that of the dorsal. Pec- 

 toral spine obtusely serrated 

 along both edges, shorter than 

 the head. Ventral fins much 

 shorter than the pectorals, ex- 

 tending to, or nearly to, the 

 origin of the anal fin. There 

 are some graniilations along the 

 foremost part of the lateral line. 

 Bengal, Pinang, East Indian 

 Archipelago. 



rt. Adult (17 inches long): stuifed. Bay of Bengal. From Dr. Can- 

 tor's Collection. 

 6. Young: skin. Pinang. From Dr. Cantor s CoUection. 

 c. Adult. Purchased of Mr. Frank. 



4. Arius doroides. 

 Bagms doroides, Cuv. ^ Val. xiv. p. 447. pi. 418. 



D. 1/7. A. 17. P. 1/10. 



The upper surface of the head granulated ; occipital process iydce 

 as broad as long, broadly united with the basal bone of the dorsal 

 spine, which is very large, butterfly-shaped. Opercles and front 

 part of the dorsal and pectoral spines gi-anulated. The lateral por- 

 tions of the band of teeth on the palate are ovate, and not triangular. 

 Barbels six ; those of the maxillaries extending to the end of the 

 opercle. Anterior portion of the lateral line covei'ed with a series of 

 granulated small plates. Ventrals shorter than pectorals. ( Val.) 



Bengal; Pondicherry. 



5. Arius leptaspis. 



Hexauematichthys leptaspis, Bleeh. Atl. Icldh. Silur. p. 27. tab. 65. 

 D. 1/7. A. 19. P. 1/10. 

 The height of the body is contained five times and a half in the 

 total length (without caudal), the length of the head thrice and 

 two-thirds ; head coarsely gi-anulated above, broader than high, its 

 greatest Avidth being contained once and a sixth in its length. Occi- 

 pital process subtriangular, scarcely longer than broad, with the 

 lateral margins straight, extending on to the basal bone of the dor- 

 sal fin, which is small, narrow, crescent-shaped. Snout obtusely 

 rounded, depressed, nearly twice as long as the eye, with the upper 

 jaw a little longer than the lower. The teeth on the palate form a 

 slightly curved band, those of the vomer being disposed in two 

 , patches near to each other and to those of the palatines ; the latter 

 are small, not much larger than those of the vomer. The maxillary 

 bar])els reach to the end of the pectoral fin. Porus axillaris small. 

 Dorsal fin as high as the body, with a strong, serrated spine. Adi- 

 pose fin much shorter than dorsal. Pectorals shorter than the head, 



