246 OCELLATED XIPHOSTOMA. 



appearance occasioned by the structure of the scales. 

 The mark at the base of the tail is distinctly sur 

 rounded or ocellated with yellow. 



" This fish is common in the Essequibo, Rios 

 Negro and Branco ; in the latter river it is much 

 used for food ; its flesh is yellow, but well-flavoured, 

 although rather bony ; the body long, head pointed, 

 teeth sharp ; nostrils single, placed near the eye ; 

 all the opercles striated, bat Avith smooth edges. 

 The ventral fins are placed rather before the dorsal. 

 It is of a lead colour, lighter on the belly ; the fins 

 are variegated with light red, which is the pre- 

 dominant colour of the tail; at its insertion is a 

 black spot, with a crescent of bright yellow, some- 

 thing like the eye of a peacock's feather. The 

 lateral line is nearly straight, the eye yellow, and 

 tongue pointed. The cranium is hard and bony ; 

 snout elongated, and protruding considerably over 

 the lower jaw. They take bait readily; but as 

 they swim near the surface of the water, are easily 

 killed with an arrow. They live only a short time 

 when taken from the water, and soon turn to a 

 brownish colour. The lateral line is straight ; the 

 tail forked, but each lobe is rounded." The length 

 two feet ; greatest depth three inches. 



X. ocellatum^ — 

 D. 10_-P. 27— V. 8_A. 9— C. 30— Br. 4— Vert. 40. 



X. Cuvieriiy from Spix, — 



D. 2/8_P. 26— V. 8— A. 3/8— C. 7/17/7. 



