346 TUFT-GILLED FISHES. 



to come at the sound of their masters' voice. Ilirrias was the first to 

 consecrate tish-ponds exclusively to Murseute, and he caused six 

 thousand of these fishes to be served up at an entertainment given to 

 Caesar when he was made Dictator. 



The Gymnoti* liave the gill-openings in front of the 

 pectoral fins, and partially closed by a membrane. One 

 of them, 



The Gynmotus Electricus, or Electric Eel, is celebrated on account 

 of the violent electric shocks it has the power of communicating at 

 will. 



The electric apparatus extends all along the back and tail, and 

 consists of four longitudinal series of cells filled by a gelatinous 

 ]natter, and supplied with very large nerves. These formidable 

 fishes are so common in South America, that the roads axe some- 

 times rendered impassable owing to the number of them infesting 

 the streams that have to be crossed. As water is a conductor of 

 electricity, a person may be struck at some distance, and small fishes 

 are killed even at a distance of fifteen feet. 



Order of Tuft-gilled Fishes. 



LoPHOBRANCHI.t 



Distinguished by the branchiae which, instead of 

 being pectinate (that is, having the form of the 

 teeth of a comb), as is ordinarily the case, are divided 

 into small round tufts, arranged in pairs along the 

 branchial arches. These curious gills are enclosed 

 under a large operculum, attached on all sides by 

 a membrane, and having only a small hole for the 

 escape of water. The Lophobranchiate fishes are 

 also to be recognized by the mail-like plates that 

 cover the body, and render it angular in shape ; they 

 are of small size. To this Order belong 



The Sea-Horses {Hijyjyocamjms)'^ : their body is late- 

 rally compressed and more elevated than the tail. 

 When dried after death, the head and trunk bear 



* yvuuos, o'vmnos, naJied : vwtos, notos, the hack. 

 t x6(pos, lophos, a tuft; jSpdyxia, branchia, gills — having tufted 

 gills. 



+ Vttttos, hippos, a Jwrse ; Ka/ji-m], campe, a bending. 



