371 
tubular, posterior nostril at some distance behind it, partly 
surrounded by a rim, from which rises anteriorly, with a broad 
base, a rather long nasal barbel. The long maxillary barbels 
originating with a broad base at the angle of the mouth. The 
mandibulary barbels close behind it and the mental ones 
below it. All the barbels are long and slender. Gape of mouth 
moderate, transverse, with the upperlip the longer. A median 
rhombic longitudinal fontanel on the top of the head, exten- 
ding to the base of the occipital process, divided by a trans- 
verse osseous ridge. Short dorsal, the hinder end of which is 
situated above the origin of the ventrals (always?), with 5 soft 
rays and a pungent spine, covered by thick skin. Adipose fin 
opposite to anal. Ventrals with 6 rays, horizontal, extending 
to anal. The horizontal pectorals with a strong osseous spine, 
longitudinally furrowed, serrated or not, covered by thick 
skin and prolonged by a cartilaginous filament. Caudal deeply 
emarginate. Villiform teeth in the jaws, none on the palate. 
Gillopening extending dorsally above the base of the pectoral. 
Gillmembranes broadly united with the isthmus and each other. 
The distance between the mouthopening and their hindborder 
very short, the skin here radially folded. Branchiostegals 6. 
Key to the speetes 
I. Pectoral spine with strong teeth at its hindborder. . . A. armatus p. 371. 
2ebeciorale spines without strong teeth =. «5 «6: es A. variegatus p. 372. 
1. Akysis armatus Vaill. 
Akysis armatus Vaillant, Notes Leyden Mus. XXIV. n°. {—3, 1902, p. 64. 
Wyte As) A 6) Piet. Gy. Vivo. 
Height 6, head 4. Eye 6, medium, '/, of the intérorbital 
space. Snout obtuse, about '/, of the length of the head. 
Nasal barbels extending to branchial opening, maxillary barbels 
to the second '/, of the pectorals, mandibulary barbels to 
middle of pectoral spine, mental barbels to insertion of mandi- 
bulary ones. Posterior border of dorsal spine smooth. Adipose 
fin of moderate height. Pectoral spine robust, slightly curved, 
its posterior border with 8 or g strong teeth, equal to or 
more than the breadth of the spine. Dark red, dorsally with 
numerous yellow spots in longitudinal rows on the head, in 
a 
