Sl{. SYXODOMIS. 215 



11. Synodontis xiphias. 

 D. 1/7. A. 11. P. 1/10. V. 7. 



The upper jaw terminates in a long, conical pointed process, the 

 length of which is two-ninths of that of the head. The height of the 

 body is two-ninths of the total length (\\ithout caudal), the length of 

 the head one-third. The gill-opening extends downwards to before 

 the root of the pectoral fin. The intermaxiUarj- teeth form a broad 

 band ; the manchble has two sets of difierent teeth : anteriorly a 

 short series of small flexible teeth, and posteriorly on each side a 

 minute patch of ^illifoi-m teeth. The maxillary bai'bels extend some- 

 what beyond the end of the head, and are slightly compressed, but 

 not cHlated ; the outer mantUbiilary barbels reach to the base of the 

 pectoral, and are provided ^\•ith filaments. Nuchal carapace coarsely 

 granulated, tectiforni, considerably longer than broad. Dorsal spine 

 veiy strong, uuich compressed, as liigh as the body, granulated in 

 front, sen-ated 1)ehind, and striated on the side. Pectoral spine ser- 

 rated along both edges, shorter than that of the dorsal fin ; humeral 

 process more than twice as long as broad, pointed behind, the point 

 being slightly directed U2:)wards. The distance bet^^■een dorsal and 

 adipose fins is much more than the length of the base of the former. 

 The length of the adipose fin is one-fourth of the total (without 

 caudal ). Caudal deeply forked. Small round brown spots are visible 

 on the head and on the acUpose fin. 



"West Aliica. 



a. Twenty-eight inches long : stufled. Purchased of Mr. Dalton. 



II. The gill-opening extends downwards to the throat. 



12. Synodontis membranaceus. 



Pimelodus membranaceus, (huffr. Descr. Eg. Poiss. pi. 13. figs. 1 & 2. 

 Synodontis membranaceus^ /s. Geoff r. Poiss. Xil, p. 160 ; Cuv. S;- V<il. 

 'xv. p. 258. 



batensoda, RiippeU, Foiisetz. Seschreib. neuer Nil-Jische, p. <i. 



ta'f. 3. fig. 2 (barbels not good). 



D. 1/7. A. 12. P. 1/9. V. 7. 



The giU-opening extends downwards nearly to the midtUe of the 

 throat : mandibulaiy teeth very short and small, forming a minute 

 patch. Maxillary barbels shorter than the head, lined with a very 

 broad black membrane. Dorsal spine not serrated in front ; humeral 

 process as long as high. The adipose fin commences immediately 

 behind the dorsal. Belly black. 



Upper Nile. 

 rt-^. Fine specimens, 20 inches long. Chartoum. From Consul 



Petherick's Collection. 

 c. Young. Chartoum. From Consul Petherick's Collcctiou. 



