CAT-FISHES. 
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largest species is the leopard cat-fish, or suravi (P. pati), from the rivers of 
Argentina and Uruguay, growing to a length of 6 or 7 feet, and having the 
yellowish skin marked with a number of black spots, like a hunting-leopard. 
Somewhat curiously, this genus is represented by two outlying species from West 
Africa. The best known representative of the fourth and last group of genera in 
this subfamily is the bayad ( Bagrus bay ad) of the Nile; the group being easily 
recognised by the circumstance that while the two pairs of nostrils are remote from 
one another, the hinder have barbels. Both species are confined to the Nile, but 
the allied Chrysicthys ranges all over Tropical Africa, and Macrones and Rita 
are Oriental forms. In these forms the short dorsal fin has a pungent spine, and 
the head and neck are generally protected by a tuberculated bony shield. 
Electric Cat- On account of the property from which they derive their name 
Fishes. brief mention must be made of the electric cat-fishes ( Malapterurus ) 
of Tropical Africa, belonging to a subfamily in which the rayed dorsal fin, when 
present, is short and confined to the hinder region of the body, while the pelvic fins 
are inserted behind. From their allies these fishes are distinguished by the total 
absence of the rayed dorsal, so that they have only a fatty dorsal immediately in 
front of the tail (which is rounded), and opposite the anal. The head and body are 
smooth, the pectoral fins have no spine, and there are six barbels. The species 
inhabiting the Nile grows to about 4 feet in length. 
Mailed Cat- The only other members of the family, which space admits of 
Fishes. mentioning, are the mailed cat-fishes ( Callichthys, Loricaria, etc.), 
constituting a subfamily mainly confined to Tropical and South America, although 
represented by a few Oriental forms. In all these fishes there is always a rather 
short rayed dorsal fin, beneath or in front of which the pelvics are generally 
inserted. The gill-membranes are confluent with the skin of the isthmus, and the 
gill-openings constricted to small slits. The pectoral and pelvic fins are placed 
horizontally; and the vent is in front of, or only slightly behind, the middle of the 
length of the body. Among these fishes the species of the genus Callichthys, 
which are confined to the rivers on the Atlantic side of South America, belong 
to a group characterised by the nearness of the two pairs of nostrils, between which 
there is generally a short flap, and by the expansion and reversion of the lower lip 
to form a broad flap more or less deeply notched in the middle. In the genus 
mentioned, the head is covered with bony plates, and the body encased in two rows 
of transversely elongated overlapping shields on each side; all the species being of 
small size. Like certain other South American forms belonging to another sub¬ 
family, of which the members of the genus Doras are perhaps the best known, 
these mailed cat-fishes are in the habit of making nocturnal journeys during the 
hot season, when the pond they inhabit is about to dry up to another of greater 
capacity, and they likewise construct nests for their eggs. In the case of the 
genus last mentioned, these journeys may occupy several nights, during which the 
fish travel in large companies. As they have no special breathing-sacs, they must 
apparently close their gill-openings, and thus keep the gills moist. The nests, 
which are made at the beginning of the rainy season, are formed of leaves, 
beneath which the eggs are deposited and watched over by both parents; the whole 
structure being sometimes placed in a hole on the margin of the river or pond. 
