FAMILY, I— SILUElD.il. 455 



the Indus : base of adipose fin 1/2 or 2/3 that of the rayed fin, or of the interspace between the two fins. 

 Pectoral spine (except in the very young) somewhat shorter than that of the dorsal and denticulated on both 

 edges. Ventrals arise just behind the vertical from the last dorsal ray. Anal 1/2 higher than its base is long. 

 Oolours—laxid green, lightest below, and the hind edge of the dorsal sometimes blackish. Air-vessel^-ynth a 

 thick outer covering, and of an almost quadrangular form, whUst posteriorly it is continued into two hom-like 

 prolongations nearly as long as the abdominal cavity, the right one generally passing over to the left side and 

 curving across the commencement of its fellow, whereas the left one passes backwards, and is then as a 

 rule recurved on itself _ On the inferior wall being removed a longitudinal median partition is seen in its 

 posterior half, dividing it into two lateral chambers which anteriorly communicate together, whilst posteriorly 

 they are continued down the two horn-like processes. 



The type of Arius ritoides, C. Y. is still at Paris in good preservation, it is nearly 6 inches in length and 

 appears to be the young of this species, as seen in plate GUI, fig. 2. The dorsal spine reaches the 

 commencement of the adipose fin and is longer than in B. pmimentata, with which species Dr. Giinther unites 

 it, but with a point of doubt. 



Habitat.— Indus and afluent rivers, Junma and Ganges, also the Irrawaddi : attaining at least 4 feet 

 in length. The specimen figured (fig. 1) is 11 inches ia length from Calcutta, the second (life-size) is from 

 Lahore. This fish is esteemed as food by the natives, but is a very foul feeder. 



2. Rita pavimentata, Plate CIII, fig. 3. 



Arius ^pawimentatus, Val. ia Jacq. Yoy. Ind. Oriental, Atl. Poiss. pi. 17, f 23; Guv. and Val. xv, p. 94. 



Phractocephalus gogra, Sykes, Trans. Zool. Soc. ii, p. 374, t. 66, f. 1. 



Rita pavimentata, Giinther, Gatal. v, p. 93. 



Oogrius Sykesii, Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1867, p. 663. 



Banlci yeddu, Tel. : Pilah-gohimdu, Hind. 



B. viii, D. 1/0, P. 1/10, V. 8, A. 12-13 (^%), C. 17. 



Length of head 3i to 4, of caudal 6^, height of body 6 in the total length. Eyes — covered by skin 

 which however forms a rather free margin along its lower edge : diameters 5^ to 6 in the length of head, 

 2 to 2j diameters from the end of snout and 2^ apart. Greatest width of the head equals its length 

 behind the angle of the mouth. Upper jaw the longer, the width of the mouth equals 3/10 of the length 

 of the head. Upper surface of the head and occipital process smooth, being covered by skin. Occipital 

 process rather more thaii twice as long as wide at its base, it is notched anteriorly to receive the V-shaped 

 basal bone. Scapular process short, the cubito-humeral one pointed, as long as the head behind the middlejof 

 the eyes, or even a little longer, and roughened in Hnes. Ba/rbels — the maxillary do not quite reach the posterior 

 end of the head, the mandibular pair extend a little further : the nasal ones are very short. Teeth — in vilHform 

 or cardiform rows in both jaws : the posterior rows in the lower jaw, commencing behind the symphysis, with 

 rounded crowns, their size augmenting laterally. Those in the palate in two semi-elliptical patches of rounded 

 ones which are almost continuous along the median line, the posterior being much the largest. Fins — dorsal 

 spine of moderate strength, as long as the head excluding the snout and finely serrated posteriorly in almost its 

 entire extent : length of the base of the adipose 3/4 of that of the rayed fin and nearly equal to the extent of the 

 interspace between the two fins. Pectoral spine stronger and a little longer than that of the dorsal, it is 

 denticulated on both edges, it does not reach so far as the ventral fin. Anal rays appear to be sometimes 

 deficient in number. Colours — of a dull yellowish colour, with dark or even black fins. 



A drawing and description of this species exists amongst Sir W. EUiot's collection, the locality is not 

 given, but it was probably from the Kistna, it is termed " Ghogra." 



Habitat.— From Poonah and the rivers in the Deccan and afiluents of the Kistna. The specimen figured 

 (life-size) was from Kurnool. 



3. Rita chrysea, Plate GIV, fig. L 



B. viii, D. 1 I 0, P. 1/9, V. 8, A. 12 (^), C. 18. 



Length of head 4J, of caudal 4|, height of body 6 in the total length. %es— covered by the skin 

 which however is a little reflected along its lower edge, diameters 4 in the length of the head, li diameters from 

 the end of snout, and 1 apart. The greatest width of the head equals its length excluding the snout, 

 its height is slightly less. Upper jaw the longer, the width of the mouth equals 4/13 of the length of the head. 

 Upper surface of the head mesially and posteriorly, also the occipital and scapular processes, rough. Occipital 

 process as wide at its base as it is long, notched anteriorly to receive the basal bone. Gubito-humeral process 

 as long as the head excluding the snout. ^arSeZs— nasal ones short, the maxillary reach the base of the pectoral 

 fin, the mandibular slightly shorter. reeZ/i^-vUliform in both jaws, and two or three of the inner rows 

 in the mandibles with globular crowns : in two patches of globular headed teeth on the palate, these patches 

 converge anteriorly so as to touch one another in their front half. Fins— dorsal spine strong, reaching 

 to about the middle of the adipose fin and nearly 1/2 longer than the head, it is coarsely serrated anteriorly m 

 its whole extent, and very finely serrated posteriorly. Pectoral spine rather longer than the head and 

 denticulated on both sides. Caudal deeply forked. OoZowrs— yellowish, the ends of the fins stamed grayish. 



This appears to be the only form in India proper having the dorsal spine serrated anteriorly m ]ts 

 whole extent. 



Habitat. — Orissa, where the single specimen (figured, life-size) was captured. 



