;66 



FISHES, 



a weight of 300 or 400 lbs., and the flesh, especially of 

 smaller specimens, is firm, flaky, and well flavoured, Aris- 



Fig. 260.— The " Wels," Siluris glaiiis. 



totle described it under the name of Glanis. Its former 

 occurrence in Scotland has justly been denied. In China it 

 is represented by a similar species, S. asotus, which, however, 

 has four barbels only. 



This sub - family is well represented by various other 

 genera in the fresh waters of the African as well as Indian 

 region. African genera are ScMlbc and Hutropius ; East 

 Indian : SiluricJitJnjs, Wcdlago,Bdodontichth7j$, Uutrojnichthi/s, 

 Cryptopterus, Callichrons, Hcmisilvrns, Siluranodon, Ailia, 

 Scliilhichiliys, Lais, Fscudeutrojnus, Pangasms, Hdicophagus, 

 and Silondia. 



III. SiLUKiD.E Anomalopteile. — DoTsal and adijwse fins 

 very sliort, tlic former hdonging to the caiided vertehrcd column; 

 anal very long. Ventrals in front of the dorsal. Gill- 

 mcmhrancs e7itirely separate, overlapping the isthmus: (Hy- 

 POPHTHALMINA. 



Hypophthalmus. — Dorsal fin Avith seven rays, the first of 

 whicli is slightly spinous. Tiie lower jaw is rather the longer. 

 Barbels six, those of the mandible long. No teeth ; inter- 

 maxillaries very feeble. Head covered with skin. Eye of mode- 

 rate size, situated behind and below the angle of the mouth. 

 Ventrals small, six-rayed. 



