186 LÖNNBERG, NOTES ON FISHES COLLECTED IN THE CAMEROONS. 



according to Günther, »un peu échancrée» in P. balayi according 

 to Sauvage). The ventral fins with six soft rays a little shorter 

 than the pectorals. The vent is about midway between the 

 posterior margin of the opercle and the root of the caudal. 



The coloration from which the fish has derived its name is 

 påle brownish, with round dark brown spöts, which are larger 

 on the back and the sides, than on the belly. These upper spöts 

 sometimes become confluent, and then form five or six dark cross- 

 bars. The lower smaller spöts are not confluent, situated between 

 and below the crossbars. The head is darker with round black 

 spöts. Tlie dorsal and caudal fins with round brown spöts. 



Mr. Sjöstedt observed these fishes hiding under stones in the 

 river. The natives regard them as provided with electric power. 

 The above described specimens raeasured between 6 and 7 cm. 



The two other African Pimelodonts are found in the West- 

 African region PirneLodus plati/chir in Sierra Leone (GÜNTHER) 

 and Pimelodus balayi- in Ogöoné, Congo (SaüVAGe). This new 

 form seems to be in several respects ^) not a little related to the 

 Brazilian species P. bufonius Cuv. & Valenc. and P. raninus 

 Cuv. & Valenc. and thus form a connecting link to the South- 

 American fauna. 



Synodontis marmo7'atus n. sp. 



From the muddy rivulet at Bonge Mr. Sjöstedt has obtained 

 o small specimens of a Synodontis. These can possibly be the 

 young of some species already described, but at present this can 

 not be ascertained, and I do not think so;^) therefore I rather 

 prefer to describe them than to bring confusion into the syno- 

 nymic. 



The gill-opening extends downwards to before the root of 

 the pectoral fin. Mandibulary teeth slender, curved, about half 

 as long as the diameter of the eye, their number from 14 — 18, 



^) Rounded caudal, short basal, anal bone of dorsal, sevrated pectoral spiue etc. 

 ^) The number and size of the teeth, number of fin rays, shape and size of 



spines, relative measurements etc. do not agree with the description of other 



snecies. 



