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 species. 



1. Pectoral spine with strong teeth at its hindborder. . . A. armatus p. 371. 



2. Pectoral spine without strong teeth A. variegafus p. 372. 



i. Akysis armatus Vaill. 



Akysis armatus Vaillant, Notes Leyden Mus. XXIV. n. 1 3, 1902, p. 64. 



D. II. 4; A. 9; P. I. 6; V. 6. 



Height 6, head 4. Eye 6, medium, ! /s f the interorbital 

 space. Snout obtuse, about ! /s f tne length of the head. 

 Nasal barbels extending to branchial opening, maxillary barbels 

 to the second ! / 3 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 9 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 



