PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



FOR THE YEAR 1S91. 



Volume XIV. 



A CATALOGUE OF THE FRESH-WATER FISHES OF SOUTH AMERICA 



BY 



Carl H. Eigenmann and Rosa S. Eigenmann. 



The present paper is an enumeration of the fishes so far recorded 

 from the streams and lakes of South America, with a few preliminary 

 remarks on the extent, peculiarity, and origin of the fauna an<l the 

 division of the ueotropics into provinces. An attempt has been made 

 to include those marine forms which have been found in the rivers 

 beyond brackish water and to exclude those which probably enter fresh 

 waters, bnt have not actually been found in any streams. Central 

 American species are not enumerated. 



The aim being to present a synopsis of what has been accomplished 

 rather than a list of the species which in our estimation are valid, all 

 the doubtful species are enumerated and the synonyms of each species 

 are given. All the names given to South American fishes prior to 1890 

 are therefore to be found here. 



We have endeavored to adopt and incorporate the results of the 

 latest investigations, chiefly those of Giinther, Gill, Cope, Boulenger, 

 Steindachner, and Eigenmann and Eigenmann. Since works of a re- 

 visionary character on South American fishes are few, and many of the 

 species have been recorded but once, many changes in the present list 

 will doubtless become necessary. We have critically reviewed about 

 half of the species enumerated. (See bibliography.) 



This catalogue was intended to accompany a Catalogue of the Fresh- 

 water Fishes of North America by Dr. D. S. Jordan. Unavoidable 

 circumstances prevented us from completing it as originally planned,, 

 and it was thought best to give it the present form. We take pleasure 

 in expressing out thanks to Dr. Theodore Gill for valuable suggestions. 



Proceedings National Museum, Vol. XIV— No. 842. 



