ABIUS. 



385 



1. ARIUS LATISCUTATUS. 



Arius latiscutatus, part., Giinth. Cat. Fish. v. p. 151 (1864) ; Bouleng. Poiss. Bass. 



Congo, p. 300 (1901). 

 Arius parkii, part., Giinth. t. c. p. 154. 



Depth of body 4 to 5 times in total length, length of head 3-^ to 4 

 times. Head slightly longer than broad, the posterior part of its upper 

 surface rough with pearl-like granules ; occipital process tectiform, 

 broader at base than long, in contact with the interneural shield, which 

 is small and crescentic and studded with granules same as on the skull ; 

 snout broad, rounded, projecting feebly beyond mouth; eye lateral, 

 oval, If (young) to 1\ times in length of snout, i\ to 8 times in length 

 of head, 2-| to 5 times in interocular width ; praemaxillary band of teeth 



Fig. 297. 



Arius latiscutatus. 



5 to 6 times as long as broad ; palate with two very large groups of 

 viiliform teeth, consisting of an anterior transverse portion narrowly 

 separated from its fellow on the median line and a posterior triangular 

 portion which is longer than broad ; maxillary barbel f to £ (If in the 

 young) length of head, outer mandibular | to | (or once), inner 

 mandibular f to f. Gill-rakers moderately long, 12 or 13 on lower 

 part of anterior arch. Dorsal I 7, spine £ to f length of head, with 

 granular tubercles anteriorly and small seme posteriorly. Adipose 

 dorsal small, its base at least § that of rayed dorsal, about twice as 

 distant from latter as from caudal. Anal 19-20 (13-14. rays branched). 

 VOL. it. 2 ° 



