ZOOLOGY. 165 



hrdnchml orifice or spiracle^ single, and situated beneath 

 the throat. 



4. Sphagebranchus. Body Eel-shaped ; pectoral Jins want- 

 ing; spiracles tvro, situated beneath the throat. 



This differs from the last genus, in possessing two spiraclei. 



9. Monopterus. Monoptere. Body Eel-shaped ; nostrils 

 situated beneath the eyes ; caudal fin distinct. 



6. Gymnotus. Gymnote, or Electric Eel. Head furnish- 



ed with lateral opercula ; on the upper lip two tenia- 

 cula ; gill-membrane, composed of five rays ; body 

 compressed ; in most species the dorsal fin is wanting, 

 but such possess a narrow fin beneath. 



One of this genus, G. electrtcus, possesses the power of 

 benumbing any animal it comes in contact with, by communi- 

 cating to it an electric shock ; by the exertion of this power, 

 it stuns such small species as approach it, and then 

 devours them. 



7. Odontagnaius. Mouth furnished with a strong moveable 



lamina or process, on each side of the upper jaw ; gilU 

 membrane five rayed. 



??. Comephorus. Head large, with a compressed snout', 

 mouth large, with small teeth • body elongated, com- 

 pressed ; the second dorsal fin furnished with long 

 naked rays. 



M 3 



