SYNODONTIS. 30] 



2^. SYNODONTIS. 



Cuv. TU'one Anim. ii. p. 203 (1817) ; Ciiv. & Val. Hish Poiss. xv. p. 24-1 (1840) ; 

 Guiitli. Cat. Fish. v. p. 210 (18G4) ; Vaill. N. Arcli. Miis. (:\) vii. l^[)r>, 

 J). 233, & viii. l^DO, p. 87 ; Boiilennj. Toiss. Bass, (-ongo, p. 301 (I'JOl), an. I 

 Fish. Nile, p. 350 (11)07). 



/h'uch^sijnodonds, Bleok. Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierk. viii. 18G)>, [•. 54. 



Pseiidosi/nodo/iti.s^ Bleok. t. c. p. 55. 



JIeini.'i>/nodontis, Bleek. 1. c. 



Leiosi/nodontii!, Bleek. I. c. 



Body short or moderately elongate, more or less compressed. Dorsal 

 fin short, formed of a strong spine and 6 or 7 branched rays; a large or 

 very hirge adipose dorsal fin. Pectoral with a strong spine. Ventral fin 

 with 7 rays, inserted behind the vertical of the dorsal. A cephalo-nnchal 

 bony shield, united to the clavicular bones. Three pairs of barbels : 

 maxillary and two mandibulars, all or at least the latter branched. 

 Nostrils widely separated from each other, the anterior tubular. Eyes 

 lateral or supero-lateral, with free border. Mouth with more or less 

 developed lips ; a band or series of conical prsemaxillary teeth ; movable, 

 slender, more or less curved teeth implanted in the lower lip, usually 

 followed by small teeth on the lower jaw; palate toothless. Gili- 

 membranes confluent with the skin of the isthmus. Air-bladder large, 

 free. 



Vertebne 36-44 (13-17 + 22-27). 7 branchiostegal rays. Intestine 

 very elongate, forming numerous convolutions. 



Nile and Tropical Africa. 



S^iW2)si^ of the Species . 



I. Maxillary barbel not branched ; gill-o})ening not extendinj*; downwards 

 beyond base of pectoral fin, 

 A. Movable mandibular teeth 70 to 80 ; band of praeniaxillary teeth ratlier 

 long, extending along the whole width of the month ; hea<l smooth 

 above, or with feeble vermiculur rugosities ; snout longer than post- 

 ocular }xirt of head. 

 Adipose dorsal 2^ to 3^ times as long as its 

 distance from rayed dorsal ; caudal lobes 

 produced into long fihiments ; skin not 



villose ]. -S'. raiiddli'S, Blgr., p. ;)D7. 



Adipose dorsal H times as long as its distance 



fi-oin rayed dor-al ; -kin \ iUose on sides . 2. .S'. /mli/odoti, VailL. j). 31>JS. 



