CAT-FISHES. 455 



largest species is the leopard cat-fish, or suravi (P. r pat%), from the rivers of 

 Argentina and Uruguay, growing to a length of 6 or 7 feet, and having the 

 yellowish skin marked with a number of black spots, like a hunting-leopard. 

 Somewhat curiousl}", this genus is represented by two outlying species from West 

 Africa. The best known representative of the fourth and last group of genera in 

 this subfamily is the bayad {Bagrus bayad) of the Nile ; the group being easily 

 recognised by the circumstance that while the two pairs of nostrils are remote from 

 one another, the hinder have barbels. Both species are confined to the Nile, but 

 the allied Chrysicthys ranges all over Tropical Africa, and Macrones and Rita 

 are Oriental forms. In these forms the short dorsal fin has a pungent spine, and 

 the head and neck are generally protected by a tuberculated bony shield. 



Electric Cat- On account of the property from which they derive their name 



Fishes. brief mention must be made of the electric cat-fishes (Malapterurus) 

 of Tropical Africa, belonging to a subfamily in which the rayed dorsal fin, when 

 present, is short and confined to the hinder region of the body, while the pelvic fins 

 are inserted behind. From their allies these fishes are distinguished by the total 

 absence of the rayed dorsal, so that they have only a fatty dorsal immediately in 

 front of the tail (which is rounded), and opposite the anal. The head and body are 

 smooth, the pectoral fins have no spine, and there are six barbels. The species 

 inhabiting the Nile grows to about 4 feet in length. 



Mailed Cat- The only other members of the family, which space admits of 



Fishes. mentioning, are the mailed cat-fishes (Callichthys, Loricaria, etc.), 

 constituting a subfamily mainly confined to Tropical and South America, although 

 represented by a few Oriental forms. In all these fishes there is always a rather 

 short rayed dorsal fin, beneath or in front of which the pel vies are generally 

 inserted. The gill-membranes are confluent with the skin of the isthmus, and the 

 gill-openings constricted to small slits. The pectoral and pelvic fins are placed 

 horizontally ; and the vent is in front of, or only slightly behind, the middle of the 

 length of the body. Among these fishes the species of the genus Callichthys, 

 which are confined to the rivers on the Atlantic side of South America, belong 

 to a group characterised by the nearness of the two pairs of nostrils, between which 

 there is generally a short flap, and by the expansion and reversion of the lower lip 

 to form a broad flap more or less deeply notched in the middle. In the genus 

 mentioned, the head is covered with bony plates, and the body encased in two rows 

 of transversely elongated overlapping shields on each side ; all the species being of 

 small size. Like certain other South American forms belonging to another sub- 

 family, of which the members of the genus Boras are perhaps the best known, 

 these mailed cat-fishes are in the habit of making nocturnal journeys during the 

 hot season, when the pond they inhabit is about to dry up to another of greater 

 capacity, and they likewise construct nests for their eggs. In the case of the 

 genus last meutioned, these journeys may occupy several nights, during which the 

 fish travel in large companies. As they have no special breathing-sacs, they must 

 apparently close their gill-openings, and thus keep the gills moist. The nests, 

 which are made at the beginning of the rainy season, are formed of leaves, 

 beneath which the eggs are deposited and watched over by both parents ; the whole 

 structure being sometimes placed in a hole on the margin of the river or pond. 



