192 
THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
slightly the longest, but in adults the lower is the longest, and curved upwards at its extremity. 
Preopercle narrow, a third as broad as high. Posterior nostril the largest, nearly circular, and 
situated near the mesial line : the anterior rather below and in front on the anterior surface of 
the snout. Occipital process covered by very thin skin, slender, and joining the basal bone of the 
dorsal fin, which is triangular, and half as long as the occipital process. A central longitudinal 
groove, which becomes almost imperceptible in the adult, exists along the central line of the skull 
to the base of the occipital process. The pair of maxillary cirri extend as far as the anterior margin 
of the anal fin : the nasal pair are fine, and not so long as the head: the two pairs of labial cirri 
arise close together, nearly under the symphysis, and are as long as the head. 
Teeth—In both jaws sharp and villiform, in two rows along the sides, but more numerous in 
the centre. Teeth on palate in two small oval patches. 
Fins—Dorsal arises opposite the posterior third of the pectoral: ventral under the termination 
of the dorsal: anal about midway between the snout and the base of the caudal: adipose dorsal 
arises over the thirtieth ray of anal. First dorsal rounded, spine slender, two-thirds the length 
of the head, and finely serrated posteriorly : interspinous membrane deeply notched. Pectoral 
spine strong, much more so than that of the dorsal, and as long as the head without the snout ; its 
internal margin has from twenty to twenty-five serratures. Ventral very small, not extending as 
far as the anal. The first ray of the anal the longest: the distance between the end of the anal 
and the commencement of the caudal fin, equals two-thirds of the depth of the base of the 
caudal. Caudal rather deeply lobed. 
Lateral line—First curves downwards, and then passes direct to the centre of the caudal. 
Colours—Upper surface of head of a deep grey. Body g'reen, abruptly changing a short 
distance above the lateral line, where it becomes a beautiful silvery white, which is continued on 
to the abdomen. Dorsal, pectoral, anal, and caudal white, the last two fins being stained with 
grey at their bases. 
By no means rare in the rivers of Malabar. In two instances the second or adipose dorsal 
fin was deficient, perhaps lost by some accident. No doubt it was from some such deformed speci¬ 
men that Dr. Jerdon has described this fish. 
Does not grow to above eight inches in length. 
Habitat—Rivers of Malabar. 
Sub-Fam. SILURIFORMES, BleeTcer. 
Group silurini, Bleeker. 
Genus WALLAGO, Bleeker. 
Branchiostegals, fifteen to twenty-one. Neck not elevated, the upper profile of the head being straight. 
Eyes above or on a level with the angle of the mouth. Snout rather produced ; head covered with soft 
skin : nostrils remote. Cirri four, one on each supramaxillary, and one on either mandibula. One very short 
dorsal above or before ventrals, and without any sharp spine. No adipose dorsal. Anal elongated, and 
terminating near the caudal, which is long and has two rounded lobes. The pectoral spine moderately 
strong ; serratures weak or absent. Teeth villiform, in many rows in the jaws, and in an oblong patch on 
either side of vomer, but separated by an interspace: none on the palate. 
