CAT-FISHES. 567 



Four species from tropical America. The second genus 

 of this sub-family is Helogenes from the Essequibo. 



IV. SiLUEiDiE Peoteeopter^. — The rayed dorsal fin is 

 always "present, short, with not more than twelve short rays, 

 and 'belongs to the ahdominal portion of the vertebral column, 

 heing placed in advance of the ventrals. The adipose fin is always 

 present and well developed, although frequently short. The 

 extent of the anal is much inferior to that of the caudal verte- 

 iral column. The gill-merribranes are not confluent with the 

 shin of the isthmus, their posterior margin always remaining 

 free even if they are united with each other. Whenever the 

 nasal hariel is present it helongs to the posterior nostril. 



a. BageinA. 



Bagetjs. — Adipose fin long ; a short dorsal with a pungent 

 spine and nine or ten soft rays ; anal fin short, with less than 

 twenty rays. Barbels eight. The anterior and posterior nostrils 

 are remote from each other, the posterior being provided with a 

 barbel. Teeth on the palate in a continuous band. Eyes with 

 a free orbital margin. Caudal forked ; ventrals six-rayed. 



This genus consists of two species only, common in the 

 Nile, viz. the " Bayad," B. hayad, and B. docmac. Both grow 

 to a large size, exceeding a length of five feet, and are eaten. 

 Chrysichthys and Clarotes are two other Siluroid genera from 

 African rivers, closely allied to Bagrus. Similar SiLuroids are 

 common in the East Indies, and have been referred to the 

 following genera : Macrones, Fseudohagrus, Liocassis, Bagroides, 

 Bagrichthys, Bita, Acrochordonichthys, Ahysis. 



I. Amiueina. 



Amiueus. — Adipose fin of moderate length ; a short dorsal 

 with a pungent spine and six soft rays ; anal fin of moderate 

 length. Barbels eight. The anterior and posterior nostrils are 

 remote from each other, the posterior bemg provided with a bar- 



