SILURIDiE. 
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GENUS BATRACHOCEPHALUS. 
Char. The anterior and posterior nostrils, on each 
side, close together. 
Barbels, one pair only, rudimentary, inserted on the 
chin. 
1. Batrachocephalus mino. 
Hab. Ganges. 1 \ feet. 
Char. Anal rays 19. Dorsal and pectoral spines 
serrated on both sides. Lower jaw projecting. 
The next group have, like the last, the anterior and 
posterior nostril on each side close together, but with 
a barbel between them. 
GENUS BAGARIUS. 
Char. Barbels eight. Head naked above. 
1. Bagarius yarrellii. “The Goonch.” 
Hab. Large rivers of India. Attaining 6 feet in 
length. 
This huge creature has been caught over 250 lb. 
in weight. H. Buchanan says of it, “It is a 
very ugly animal, with lurid colours.” A corre- 
spondent to the ‘ Pioneer ’ wrote lately, describing 
the sport afforded by this fish. He says the best bait 
for it is the Spiny Eel or “Bahrn” ( Mastaccmblus 
armatus). “ Like most siluroids this fish will only 
bite from dark till about two hours after dark, when 
if taken his maw will invariably be found empty ; 
and then again from dawn till 8 o’clock. It seems 
to feed on the young of a species of herring,” 
(probably Clupca chcipra ). 
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