CAT-FISHES. 



573 



the beginning of the rainy season, of leaves, and is sometimes 

 placed in a hole scooped out in the beach. 



Finally, in the last genus, the lateral scutes are likewise 

 absent, viz. in 



Synodontis. — The adipose fin is of moderate length or 

 rather long ; the dorsal fin has a very strong spine and seven 

 soft rays. The teeth in the lower jaw are movable, long, very 

 thin at the base, and with a slightly-dilated brown apex. Mouth 

 small. Barbels six, more or less fringed with a membrane or 

 with filaments. Neck with broad dermal bones. 



Synodontis is characteristic of the fauna of tropical 

 Africa, where it is represented by fifteen species. Several 



Fig. 263. — Synodontis xipMas. 



occur in the Nile, and are known by the vernacular name 

 "Schal." Some attain a length of two feet. The species 

 figured is from West Africa, and characterised by its long 

 upper jaw. 



b. Ehinoglanina. 



EhinoglANIS. — Two dorsal fins, both composed of rays, the 

 first with a strong spine ; anal rather short. Barbels six ; 

 anterior and posterior nostrils close together, the posterior very 

 large, open. Neck with broad dermal bones. Ventrals with 

 seven rays, inserted below the posterior rays of the first dorsal 

 fin. 



This Siluroid is known from a single example only one and 

 a half inches long, obtained at G-ondokoro on the Upper Nile. 

 Callomystax represents this type in the Ganges and Indus. 



