EXHIBIT AT PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION. 199 



of the Great Lukes were represented by the fresh-water drum, white 

 fish, and large catfish, which reaches a weight of 1«><> pounds or more, 

 the moon eye and the red-horse mullet. The series also included speci- 

 mens of the buffalo tish, the largest of the suckers, reaching a weight 

 of 50 pounds or more, found mainly in the Mississippi River and its 

 tributaries. Species peculiar to the fresh waters of North America 

 were the gar pike and mud fish, two very old types of fishes, and the 

 singular paddle tish of the Southern and Western rivers. 



Among the most abundant and characteristic fresh-water fishes of 

 South America are the cattishes, of which there are many species, 

 some of which are extremely interesting on account of their curious 

 mail-like scales and large spines. Among those exhibited was the 

 small acary caciraba, in which the body and head are entirely covered 

 with a coat of mail, made up of interlocking, bony plates. It is 

 typical of the large group comprising more than a hundred species. 

 Several other species of acary are included in the series. Another 

 characteristic group of fresh-water fishes of South America are the 

 characins. They are carnivorous fishes, feeding on various aquatic 

 animals, including members of their own (lass. Several representa- 

 tive forms of this characteristic group were included in the exhibit, 

 such as peixe cachowo, one of the most formidable of the characins. 

 reaching a length of -i feet; the jeju and the agulha, which are valued 

 as food fishes. Specimens of the electric eel could not be obtained, 

 but it was represented by an allied form, the itui, a common species 

 of tropical America. 



At an early stage in the development of plans, it was proposed to 

 add to the exhibit of fishes characteristic of American waters ;i series 

 of enlarged models of fishes of the deep sea. It proved, impossible, 

 however, to construct these in the time available, but a single example 

 was prepared. The species chosen was one known as JEtJuyprora efful- 

 gens, belonging to a characteristic family of deep-sea fishes, many of 

 which are remarkable for their phosphorescent organs. In the species 

 exhibited there is in addition the luminous spots on the sides found 

 in many deep-sea tishes. a large luminous area like a lantern on the 

 top of the head. This extraordinary creature must present a remark- 

 able appearance 1 when swimming in the dark abysses of the ocean. 

 The model shown at Buffalo was eight times natural size and had a 

 length of 4- feet (Plate '2'2). The luminous spots on the sides were 

 represented by buttons of glass connected with the interior by tubes. 

 The luminous protuberance on the head was modeled in gelatine and 

 tinted. The model was so connected with the electric-lighting system 

 in the building that a gentle glow appeared in the side spots and frontal 

 protuberance, producing a very striking and it is believed a quite 

 accurate notion of the appearance of a living phosphorescent deep-sea 

 fish. 



