434 



SILTJKIDiE. 



Depth of body 3 to 3^ times in total length, length of head 3| to 



4 times. Head as long as broad or a little longer than broad, rngose 

 above behind snout, which is rounded or obtusely pointed and as long 

 as or slightly longer than postocular part of head ; eye supero-lateral, 



5 to 6 times in length of head, 2 to 2j times in interorbital width ; lips 

 moderately developed ; prsemaxillary teeth forming a short and broad 

 band ; movable mandibular teeth -| or not quite \ diameter of eye, 

 18 to 2S in number. Maxillary barbel with abroad marginal membrane, 

 1^ to 1^ times length of head, reaching between anterior third and 



Fig. 326. 



Synodont'ts obesus. 

 Type, Old Calabar. 



i 



2" 



middle of pectoral spine ; outer mandibular barbel about twice as long 

 as inner, former with moderately long simple branches, latter Avith 

 shorter branches with tubercular ramifications. Gill-opening not 

 extending downwards beyond root of pectoral spine. Occipito- nuchal 

 shield rough like the occiput, obtusely tectiform, 1^ to 1^ times as long 

 as broad, with posterior processes pointed or rounded. Humeral 

 process longer than broad, granulate, without or with a very feeble keel, 

 extending as far back as occipito-nuchal process. Dorsal I 7 ; spine 

 § to once length of head, more or less curved, striated, smooth in front, 



