CAT-FISHES. 



571 



A large Siluroid [B. lagarius) from rivers of India and 

 Java ; exceeding a length of six feet. 



EuGLYPTOSTERNUM. — Adijiose fin of moderate length ; a, short 

 dorsal with a pungent spine and six rays ; anal fin short. Bar- 

 bels eight, of which one pair is placed between the anterior and 



Fig. 262. — Eiiglyptosternum coiim, thoracic adhesive apparatus. 



posterior nostrils which are close together. Teeth on the palate 

 villiform, in two separate patches. Eyes small, below the skin. 

 Caudal forked ; ventral rays six. Pectorals horizontal, with a 

 thoracic adhesive apparatus between, which is formed by longitu- 

 dinal plaits of the skin. 



This fish {Eu. coum) inhabits the river Coic in Syria, and 

 is about twelve inches long. The plaited structure on the 

 thorax probably increases the capability of the fish of main- 

 taining its position in the rapid current of the stream, a func- 

 tion which appears to be chiefly performed by the horizontally 

 expanded pectoral fins. A similar structure is found in 



