154 gangetic fishes. Order V. 



tains ten rays. The fin behind the vent is separated by half an 

 inch at least from that of the tail, and is covered half its height 

 with scales, a very rare occurrence in this genus. The number 

 of its rays is about seventy-three ; but I cannot count them 

 with certainty. The two lobes of the tail fin have their points 

 turned much from each other, and are rather sharp. The whole 

 contains nineteen rays. 



7th Species. — Silurus boalis. Plate XXIX. Fig. 49. 



A Silurus with the fin of the tail divided into two lobes, with 

 four tendrils, of which the two upper extend to the middle of 

 the fish, with the pectoral fins unarmed, and with the edges of 

 the first ray in the back fin smooth. 



The Wallagoo of Dr Russell {Indian Fishes, Vol. II. No. 

 165) differs little from the Boalis ; but has ninety-one rays in 

 the fin of the vent, a mouth which descends obliquely, nostrils 

 near the nose, lateral lines running parallel to the back, un- 

 spotted sides, and the first ray of the back fin strongly indent- 

 ed on the edge. 



The Boalis is a very common fish in the rivers not only of the 

 Gangetic provinces, but all over India, and is occasionally found 

 in ponds. It grows to a large size, being sometimes found six 

 feet in length, and is considered good eating by the natives ; 

 but has such a forbidding aspect, that iew, if any, Europeans 

 have ventured to taste it. The appearance of the fish is much 

 more disgusting than the figure represents ; yet, in other re- 

 spects, it has a strong resemblance to the five preceding spe- 

 cies. It is not, however, so high in proportion to its length, the 

 slope from the back fin to the end of the nose being small and 

 uniform all the way. Above it is of an olive shade with a gold- 

 en gloss, and below white with clouded spots, consisting of nu- 

 merous black dots ; but the vent and tail fins are blackish, and 



