PACU OF GUIANA. 2^7 



cartilaginous:, articulated, — the membrane margi- 

 nated; the anal and caudal fins are more fleshy 

 than the rest. Their impregnation is internal ; the 

 testes of the male are flat, and contain a liquor, 

 but no matter resembling milt. The female distin- 

 guishes itself by the darker colour and the different 

 shape of the part of the body towards the vent, 

 ■which projects more, and causes likewise a difference 

 in the shape of the anal fin. Male and female are 

 about sixteen to twenty-four inches long, and weigh 

 from six to ten pounds. 



It is remarkable that the fry of the pacu is not 

 known at the lower part of the rivers. The general 

 belief among the fishermen is, that at the period 

 the rivers overflow their banks, the pacu proceed 

 up towards the savannahs, where the females de- 

 posit their eggs ; having performed that duty, the 

 parents return towards the granitic dykes of the 

 Esscquibo and Mazaruni, in order to feed upon the 

 weyra, * its principal and favourite food. When 

 feeding, the fish turns on its side, in which position, 

 in consequence of the formation and articulation of 

 its mouth, it is enabled to do it more conveniently. 

 While thus engaged, the pacu is so intent, that it 

 permits the fisherman to approach it within a few 



* Different species of lacis, and other podostemacecB, are called 

 weyra or huya^ and cover the granitic rocks while under water ; 

 but when the river subsides and they are exposed to the air, 

 and not further immersed, they commence to wither. The 

 flowers are produced above the water ; and \>y the time the 

 rocks are dry, the seeds fall between the crevices, and germi- 

 nate, when the water commences to rise again. 



