

174 TELEOSTEI. PHYSOSTOMI. 



length. Eyes diameter 6 in the length of head, 2| diameters 

 from the end of snout, and 3 apart. The greatest width of the 

 head exceeds its height by one third, and is one sixth less than its 

 length. Upper jaw the longer, the width of the gape of the month 



Fig. 07. Arius nenga. 



equal to half the length of the head. The median longitudinal 

 groove on the head is shallow anteriorly, but becomes narrow pos- 

 teriorly and does not quite extend to the base of the occipital 

 process, which is keeled, nearly as broad at its base as it is long ; 

 basal bone of dorsal tin narrow and crescent-shaped. Upper 

 surface of the head, almost as far forward as the eyes, and the 

 occipital process studded with coarse granules. Barbels the 

 maxillary pair reach the posterior third of the pectoral fin, whilst 

 the outer mandibular pair are as long as the head. Teeth on the 

 palate villif orm in two triangular patches, approximating superiorly 

 and parallel along the median line. Fins dorsal much higher 

 than the body, the dorsal spine strong, as long as the head, and 

 having an elongated soft prolongation, it is granulated anteriorly 

 in its lower half, serrated in its upper, and also posteriorly ; base 

 of adipose dorsal nearly as long as that of the rayed fin. Pectoral 

 fin almost reaching the ventral ; pectoral spine nearly as long as the 

 head, rough, granulated externally and denticulated internally. 

 Upper caudal lobe the longer. Colour dull yellow, the fins being 

 externally stained with black. 



This species is closely allied to A. ccelatus, its maxillary barbel is 

 longer, the dorsal spine more produced, and the colours different. 

 It may be only a variety. 



Ilab. Hooghly at Calcutta. Blyth says this fish attains 12 or 

 13 inches in length. 



181. (3.) Arius caelatus. 



Arius cselatus, Ouv. fy Vol. If. N. Poiss. xv, p. 66; Day, Fish. India, 

 p. 459, pi. cv, fig. 5 (see synon.). 



B. vi. D. 1/7 | 0. P. 1/9. V. 6. A. 19 (5-6/13-14). C. 15. 



Length of head 4j to 4|, of caudal fin 5 to 6, height of body 6| 



in the total length. Eyes diameter 6 to 9 in the length of the 



