SILTURIDE, a family of malaeopterous fishes, divided into many genera, and induct. ing a great number of species, mostly inhabitants of the hikes and rivers of warm coun tries. V The siloridw exhibit great diversity of form. Their skin is generally naked, but some have a row of bony plates along the lateral line, and a few arc completely mailed with bony plates. The dorsal tin is single in some; others have two dorsal fins, the sec ond being sometimes adipose, as in the salmon faintly. The dorsal fin is sometimes armed with n strong spinous ray, and in most of the family time first ray of the pectoral fins is very strong and serrated, so as to be capable of inflicting a severe wound, 'and by this these fishes are protected from alligators and other enemies. All have the mouth furnished with barbels, more or less numerous; the two principal barbels being on the upper lip, and formed by elongation of the intermaxillary bones. The barbels are believed to be organs of touch, probably of use in directing the fish to its prey. The bones of the head and other parts of the skeleton exhibit many peculiarities, into which we cannot enter. '19le silurida., are generally inhabitants of muddy rivers, lurking among the mud. The only European species is the SLY or SI1ADEN
(saurus glanis), the largest of European fresh-water fishes, and sometimes found in the sea near the mouths of livers. It does not inhabit any of the rivers of Britain; its intro duction has, however, recently been attempted. Neither is it found in France, Spain, or Italy, but it is plentiful in the Danube, the Elbe, and their larger tributaries, also in the rivers which fall into the Caspian sea; and it is found in some of the rivers of North America. It attains a length of six or even eight feet, and a weight of 800 or 400 pounds. The flesh is white and fat, but soft, luscious, and not very easily digestible. In the northern countries of Europe it is preserved by drying. and the fat is used as lard. The habits of the fish are sluggish It seems rather to lie in wait for its prey than to go in quest of it.—Several species of this family are found in the Nile, among which is the HAIIMOUTH or KA113100T (cla•ias anguillaris), a fish in its general form and appearance much resembling that just describ d. It was anciently an object of superstitious regard in the Theban'.