SILURID^E. 135 



the width of the gape of the mouth equals one third of the length 

 of the head. Upper jaw the longer, and rather overhung by the 

 snout. Cleft of the mouth reaching halfway to the orbit opposite 

 the centre of the eye. Barbels extend to the first one third or 

 middle of the length of the fish excluding its caudal fin. Teeth 

 generic. Fins pectoral spine slender and about as long as the 



Fig. 58. Ailut coila. 



head. Ventral short. Anal with from 59 to 75 rays in mv 

 specimens, and most of the intermediate numbers may be found. 

 Caudal forked. In many specimens the neural spines appear just 

 above the skin along the back. Colour silvery, some of the fins 

 often stained grey at their margins. The caudal, especially in 

 Orissa specimens, is commonly orange edged with black. 



The fish is excellent eating and much esteemed as food. 



Hob. From the Kistna and Orissa ; throughout the Indus 

 Jumna, and Granges, from the hills to their terminations ; also 

 Assam. Attains at least 7 inches in length. 



15. Genus AILIICHTHYS, Day. 

 Similar to Ailia except that the ventral fins are absent. 



144. (1.) Ailiichthys punctatns. (Fig. 59.) 

 Ailiichthys punctata, Day, P.Z.S. 1871, p. 713; and Fish. India, 



p. 489, pi. cxiv, fig. 5. 

 Put-tas-si and Put-tu-ah, Punj. 



P. 1/12. A. 76-90. C. 17. 



Length of head 6 to 7, of caudal fin 6, height of body 5 in the 

 total length. Eyes situated more than half below the angle of the 

 month, being partly on the lower side of the head, diameter four 

 elevenths to one third of length of head, one half to two thirds of 

 a diameter from end of snout, 1 diameter apart. Body coin- 

 pressed, upper profile of the head slightly concave. Width of 

 the head equals its postorbital length. Width of the gape of the 

 mouth equals one third of the length of the head. Upper jaw 

 somewhat the longer, the cleft of the mouth only extends about 

 halfway to the anterior margin of the eye, and to opposite its 



