72. AGEXIOSCS. I'Jl 



Fifth Subfamily. 

 SILURID^ STENOBRANCHI^. 



The rayed dorsal fin is short, if present, belonging to the abdo- 

 minal portion of the vertebral column, the ventrals being inserted 

 behind it (except in JiJiiiwt/hniis). The g^-membranes are con- 

 fluent with the skin of the isthmus. 



Tenth Group. DORADINA. 



The anterior and posterior nostrils are remote from each other. 

 Rayed dorsal fin present. 



South Aineiica and Africa. 



72. AGENIOSUS*. 



Ageneiosiis, Lucep. v. p. 132 ; Cuv. iSj- Val. xv. p. 231. 

 Ceratorliynchus, Agass. Oss. Foss. 



Ageneiosus et Pseudageueiosus, JBleek. Xederl. Tydschr. Dierk. 1863, 

 p. 108. 



Adipose fin very short ; dorsal short, with seven rays, the first of 

 which is more or less spinous ; anal long. Teeth villiform, in bands ; 

 palate edentulous. The upper jaw is the longer. Barbels two, at 

 the maxiUaries. Eyes behiud the angle of the mouth, of moderate 

 size, covered by the skin of the head. Gill-opening of moderate 

 width. Ventrals with seven rays, inserted behind the dorsal. 



South America. 



1 . Ageniosus militaris. 



Silurus militaris, BL taf. 362; BI. Schn. p. 375 (not L.). 

 Ageneiosus militavis, Vnlenc. in (TOrb. Voy. Amcr. Slid, Poiss. pi. 4. 



fig. 1; Ciiv. iS- J'(d. XV. p. 232; Ktter, Sifzysber. Wien. Acad. 1858, 



xxvi. p. 437. 



B. 11. D. 1/6. A. 36. P. 1/13. V. 7. Vert. 15/30. 



The length of the head is a little less than one-fourth of the total 

 (without caudal) ; head covered with thin skin above ; snout much 

 depressed, spatulate, with the upper jaw longest. The maxiUaries do 

 not terminate in a soft barbel, but they are modified into an erectile, 

 bony, spiny weapon which can be received into a groove, and reaches 

 somewhat behind the angle of the mouth. Pectoral spine half as long 

 as the head, slender, slightly serrated behind ; the dorsal spine is 

 hmger and stronger than that of the pectoral, and serrated along both 

 edges. Caudal forked, llose-coloured, marbled with blackish. 



Rio de la Plata ; Cujaba. 



* 1. Hypotlialmus daralla, Scfiomh. Fish. Brif. Giiion. p. 191. pi. (very bad). 



