SYNODONTIS. 



473 



Synodontis melanogaster, Ehrenb. in Peters, Reise n. Mossnmb. iv. p. 31 (1868). 

 Synodontis membranaceus, Vaill. N. Arch. Mus. (3) viii. 1896, pp. 161 & 167. 



Depth of body 2| to 3 times in total length, length of head 2| to 3J 

 times. Head 1J to If times as long as broad, rugose, granulate above 

 from between the eyes, the granulate area sometimes extending a little 

 on the snout ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as or a little longer than 

 postocular part of head ; eye supero-lateral, 3^ (young) to 5^ times in 

 length of head, not less than interorbital width in young, 1\ to If times 



Kg. 354 





Synodontis batensoda. 



Mouth of L. No (F. N.). \. 



in interorbital width in adult ; operculum terminating in a few short 

 spines. Lips moderately developed ; praemaxillary teeth forming a short 

 and broad band ; movable mandibular teeth \ to ^ diameter of eye, 30 

 to 57 in number. Maxillary barbel with a broad marginal membrane, 

 f to about once length of head, usually reaching base of pectoral spine 

 or a little beyond ; mandibular barbels inserted on a straight transverse 

 line, the outer with long, slender, simple branches, 1 j to 2 times as long 

 as inner, some of the branches of which are bifid or trifid. Gill-openings 

 extending downwards beyond base of pectoral fin, but separated by a 

 broad isthmus, which at least equals interorbital width. Occipito-nuchal 



