PLAIN PLATYSTACUS. 29 



and forbidding appearance^, of a dusky brown colour 

 on the upper partSj and pale cinereous beneath : the 

 upper lip is furnished with a strong or callous edge, 

 which is continued on each side into a moderately 

 long cirrus ; and on each side the lower lip are two 

 smaller ones : the first ray of the pectoral fins is 

 excessively strong, and edged by a double, serrated 

 border : the dorsal fin is of moderate size, and fur- 

 nished with six rays : the anal shallow, and con- 

 tinued nearly to the tail, which is small and forked. 

 This fish is a native of the Indian seas and rivers. 



PLAIN PLATYSTACUS. 



Platystacus Lsevus. Platystacus cirris octo, 'ventre IcevL 

 Platystacus with eight beards, and smootli abdomen. 

 Platystacus cirris^ octo, pinna ani longa. Block, 

 Silums Aspredo. Lift, Syst, Nat. 

 Mystus, &c. Seb, mus, 3. p. 86. t, 2g. f. 10. 



This species in its general appearance so per- 

 fectly represents the preceding that it is not to be 

 distinguished from it without particular examin- 

 ation : the colour, number of rays in the fins, and 

 shape, are the same in both ; but the abdominal 

 acetabula or suckers are wanting : the mouth is 

 furnished with eight beards : the teeth are stronger 

 than in the preceding fish, and the skin on the 

 upper parts smoother. By Linnasus it was con- 

 sidered as the same species with the former; but 

 Dr. Bloch appears to be of a different opinion. 

 May it not differ in sex only ? 



