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D. J. FINN, S.J.
hasty directions on my part when the drawing was being prepared from a small photograph. Figure 2 should be checked by Plate 33. The top part should not have the long horizontal member but should have a simple “head.” (b) Figure 3 is taken from (6) k. 37 and is there said to be of the Chou period. Above I have not taken this as established. Now I find in (16) k. 3 p. 38 a similar
very bell (lower and background pattern alike) dating from the Han period just before the (Western) Christian era. In the same collection of Han bronzes a belt-hook shows the "heads pattern (16) k. 6, p. 10.
Bells from the years 5 B.C. (Kien P'ing 2nd year, see (16) k. 3, p. 37 and k. 7, p. 5) and 6 A.D. (Kü Sheh 1st year, see (16) k. 3, p. 38) show a similar pattern to fragments 11 and 12 and thus help to confirm the apposite- ness of the parallel cited under fragment 11 for the year 7 B.C.
In concluding this appendix, I should like to indicate that arguments are at present gathering for a date about the turn of the B.C. and A.D. periods. It must be remembered that these articles are a study which must always remain open to revision with the discovery of new evidence—and that is quite incalculable; since writing the article itself, important things have turned up which will be published in due time.
TECHNIQUE.
APPENDIX II.
Method of treating fragments of pottery prior to being photographed. Several different methods were tried and the following finally adopted as being simple to carry out, without a permanent effect on the fragments, and serving very admirably to throw into sharp contrast the relief of the design. First the piece of fragment was carefully and lightly brushed with a test-tube If brush, this removed any particles of sand which might yet adhere to it. it appeared that the crevices still contained dried mud, the pieces were care- fully brushed with the same brush under a running tap and then put aside to dry. Chinese white water colour paint thinned with water was then applied thickly to the surface with a Chinese brush pen, this either filled the depressions or coated them with a layer of white. When dry the surface of the pot was wiped with a piece of fine linen damped with water and closely wrapped over a finger-end. This removed the white from the surface but not from the inlet design. Finally the surface was lightly wiped over and patted with a finger covered with a single layer of fine linen damped with black water-colour paint. By this method the white design was con- The trasted with a black surface rendering photography relatively easy. photographs were prepared by Mr. J. Anderson technical assistant to Pro- fessor Shellshear, the Professor of Anatomy to whom, and to Dr. Goldby The blocks, acting head of the Anatomy Department, our thanks are due. except those of the text figures, illustrating this article have been prepared by the staff of the South China Morning Post to whom also our thanks are due for the trouble they have taken over this rather intricate task.---Ed.
The Hong Kong Naturalist.
[247]
A SYNOPSIS OF THE FISHES OF CHINA.
PART IV.
The Cats, Lizard Fishes, Green Gars, Half Beaks and Flying Fishes.
by
HENRY W. FOWLER,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA, U.S.A,
Order NEMATOGNATHI.
The Catfishes.
Mouth not protractile. Premaxillaries forming upper edge of upper jaws, with rare exception. Subopercle absent or formed as uppermost branchiostegal ray. Branchiostegal rays usually numerous. Second, third and fourth vertebrae united to form a complex, with fifth also rigidly attach- ed. No scales, skin naked or with bony plates. Fins all soft rayed, usually with pungent spine at front of dorsal and each pectoral. Adipose fin usually present.
This great group of fishes, chiefly in fresh water, is represented in almost all countries of the world by numerous species, exceeded only by the carps or minnows. Their fundamental characters are chiefly internal. The interlocked or united front vertebrae have some of their lateral portions de- tached to form chain bones (Weberian ossicles) connecting the ear with the air bladder. The latter apparently thus functions as an organ of hear- ing, or receiving sound waves, by means of a connection lost in all other fishes.
Catfishes are carnivorous, live mostly on the bottom and feed on almost all kinds of prey. Comparatively few are marine though a number frequent estuaries or tidal waters where fresh. Most of the species and genera are in the rivers of South America. Commonly they are known as catfishes from their feelers or barbels about the head and mouth suggesting the long whiskers of a cat. The fin spines, often variously modified, are usually sharp and pointed and capable of causing severe wounds. Such may be quite painful, due not only to deep laceration but also the slime on the spine, rather than a specially developed poison. In some small forms a pore occurs near the axil of the pectoral. Boulenger has suggested that this is not the opening of the duct of a poison-gland, but simply a method by which a gelatinous substance filling the short duct so the membrane of the air bladder is placed in communication with the skin and the sensory organ of the
lateral line.
Very great dissimilarity in appearance and structure is found in this great group of fishes, likewise in their equally varied ecological features. Extremes range in size from an inch or so in length to great forms of several hundredweight and over three metres in length. Interest attaches also to the greatly diversified spawning habits, nest building, parental care, etc.
December 1932.