MYTHS AND LEGENDS 433 



danger or sickness. These are nothing more than the prepared 

 skeletons of certain Cat-fishes of the genus Arius, that abound 

 on the coasts and in the rivers of Central and South America. 

 The name Arius is derived from a Greek word meaning martial, 

 an allusion to the bony plate or shield that extends from the 

 back of the skull to the powerful spine of the first dorsal fin. 

 The skulls of many of these fishes exhibit on their lower surfaces 

 a rough but readily recognisable resemblance to a crucifix 

 (Fig. 147), while the small bones known as the Weberian 

 ossicles (cf. p. 193) form a halo. The upper surface of the skull, 

 with its rugose bones, has been described as resembling "a 

 hooded monk with outstretched arms," or "the breastplate of 

 a Roman solider"; the dorsal spine is said to represent the 

 spear; and the otoliths, which rattle when the skull is shaken, 

 are the "dice with which the soldiers cast lots for the garments 

 of our Lord"! Another account published in 1789 states that 

 "when the bones of the head are separated, each represents 

 some one of the instruments of the passion of our Redeemer, 

 forming the spear, cross, nails, etc." Such crucifix skulls may 

 be seen frequently in the Orinoco district, and in the Guianas, 

 and are familiar objects in the curio shops of the West Indies 

 as well as in Georgetown, British Guiana, some of the specimens 

 being fancifully painted and decorated. 



Many other interesting matters more or less remotely con- 

 nected with fishes must be omitted for considerations of space, 

 or because they lie somewhat outside the scope of this work. 

 These include the Fish Gods, of which Ebisu of Japan is perhaps 

 best known ; the reverencing of certain species by the ancient 

 Egyptians; the preparation of fish mummies; and the part 

 played by fishes in the myths and legends of various lands, or 

 in pagan and Christian symbols. Many of these matters are 

 dealt with in Mr. Radcliffe's valuable book. Fishing from the 

 Earliest Times, the only work of its kind, and a monument of 

 painstaking research. 



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