136 



CATALOGUE OF FISH. 



the more anterior position of the anus, and the different markings. 

 The accounts which have been given of the great variations in 

 the numbers of the anal rays, arise from confusion of this species 

 with rostratus. 



The large specimen in the Paris collection has near the anus an 

 equally wide opening for the exit of the eggs, and is therefore a fe- 

 male. Specimens exist in the Paris and Berlin collections, pre- 

 sented by the Brothers Schomburgk. I possess an example from 

 Sir Robert Schomburgk himself, who has done so much for the illus- 

 tration of the natural history of British Guiana. It inhabits the 

 rivers of Deraerara, lurking among the roots of the Caladiiim arho- 

 rescens, and is said to attain a pjg ] 2 



length of from four to six feet. 



] 3. PiHAMPHICHTHYS SCHNEI- 

 DER! , fig. 11. 



Diagn. Anus situated vertically 

 under the e3'^es, with a papilla no 

 bigger than the head of a fine pin. 



Descr. A very long snout, equal- 

 ling two-thirds of the length of 

 the head, and rising obliquely to- 

 wards the eyes. Round spots and 

 irregular black bars on the head 

 and body. Also black, irregular 

 lines, figures, and spots on the 

 pectoral and anal fins ; aud on the 

 minutely-scaly part of the anal 

 fin dark, cloudlike spots scattered 

 over a lighter ground-colour. 



Total length . . 27-57 in. 



Length of tail beyond 



the anal fin, 5-99 to 618 „ 



From point of snout 



to edge of gill-plate 3-58 ,, 



From point of snout 



to eye or to anus . 2'36 ,, 



From point of snout 



to the anal fin . ^^l ,, 



Height of the body . 2-05 ,, 



Thickness of the body 0"67 ,, 



Length of the pecto- 

 ral fin . 0-91 to 1-06 „ 



Cayenne. The Paris Museum 

 received two specimens from Mes- 

 sieurs Melinon. 



P. 19; A. -116-425 rays. 



