120 MEMOIRS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM. 
Head 7.25 (old individuals) to 11 (young specimens), depth 8.5 to 14 in the 
length to the end of the anal; anal rays 200 to 260. 
Snout 2.5 to 3; interorbital 2.25 to 3 in the head; eye 4 (young) to 7 in the 
snout, 4.25 to 6 in the interorbital, 10 to 6 in the head. 
Body eylindrical; head depressed; width of the head 1.25 to 1.6, depth of the 
head at the base of the occipital process 1.8 to 1.8 in the greatest depth; anus near 
the vertical from a point the length of the snout behind the eye; dorsal profile 
almost straight; ventral profile slightly convex. 
Snout very slightly pointed in young specimens, blunt in adults; mouth rather 
large; gape straight, reaching about two-thirds of the distance to almost below the 
eye; upper jaw included; caudal peduncle one-half the length of the snout or less; 
pectorals 2.25 to 3 in the head; origin of the anal behind pectorals on the vertical 
from a point about 1.5 times the snout behind the head. 
Ground-color of alcoholic specimens varies from a light slate-gray in young 
specimens to a light orange in adults; a series of transverse white stripes crossing 
the body in young individuals, which widen and become yellow with age so that 
the adults are yellow, barred with black; dorsal parts washed with a dark chocolate- 
brown containing numerous black spots; fins translucent, mottled with black or 
brown. 
Tn life the body is a translucent flesh-color or pale yellow, varying to a distinct 
pink in the parts rich in blood. The stripes and markings are blue or green, 
giving the fish a purplish or olive-green cast. This color may be deepened or 
lightened slightly by the expansion and contraction of the chromatophores. 
The general marking of the species varies considerably, specimens from clear 
water being darker and more striped than those from muddy water. Some speci- 
mens from Guatemala and from the Upper Paraguay are almost without markings. 
This fish is eaten throughout South and Central America, but is only prized 
as a food-fish in Guatemala, where it is rather rare. The Guiana Indians, who 
know it as the “‘ Warradeela”’ or “‘ Warraderra,’”—Tiger-fish, consider it very good 
and take it often when poisoning fishes in the dry season, though it is rarely used 
for food by the whites of Guiana. It is also frequently used for food in Paraguay. 
Through Brazil it is variously known as “Felis onea,” ‘‘ Ardea cocoi,” “Jacana 
jacana”’ and ‘“‘Carapo.”’ It sometimes reaches the length of three feet. 
Habitat: Small, shaded creeks, in slow water. 
Distribution: Guatemala, south to the Rio de La Plata, and west to the Andes. 
Hew ooooopospaccnco CANS 217 218 224 256 
MQM ES Onis ee oomonson PA 224 228 240 254 
IMEI Conan aodoose 200 215 216 23 260 
Nickaparoos..--.- ae ae 211 217 225 240 260 
Holmiaw. esse sae 207 220 225 235 245 
