CLASS PISCES. 401 



or seeds are found in the stomach of several spe- 

 cies.' In 



Silurus (properly so called) Lacep., 



There is but one small fin with few rays on the fore 

 part of the back, but the anal is very long, and ex- 

 tends very nearly to the caudal. 



Silurus, (more especially so named) Artedi. and Gronov., 



Have the dorsal small, without any sensible spines ; 

 the teeth are ranged as on a card in both jaws, and 

 behind the intermaxillary band of these teeth is a 

 vomerian band. Such is 



Silurus giants, L.,B1. 34; Saluth. of the Swiss; Wels 

 or Scheid of the Germans ; Mai of the Swedes. The 

 largest of the fresh- water fishes of Europe, and the 

 only one of this great genus, found in this quarter of 

 the globe. Smooth, greenish black, spotted with 

 black above ; yellowish white underneath, with the 

 head thic^k, and six barbels. It is sometimes six feet 

 and more in length, and weighs, according to report, 

 as much as three hundred pounds. It is found in the 

 rivers of Germany, of Hungary, in the lake of Haarlem, 

 &c. It conceals itself in the mud to lie in wait for 

 its prey. Its flesh is fat, and its lard is employed in 

 some places for the same purposes as that of the hog '. 



1 Add5 , i7./oift"*,B1.370.2. Sil. bimaculatus, Id. 364. Wallagoo, 

 Russel, 160. Sil. attu, Sch. 75. The Sil. Chinois, Lacep. V. ii. 1. 

 Sil. asotus, L. Pallas. Nov. Act. Petrop. I. xi. 2. 



N.B. From an inspection of the dried individual, I find that the 



VOL. X. D d 



