GIGANTIC SUDIS. 201 



inside of a bone. The roe is large, eggs small, and 

 the membrane which contains them resembles in out- 

 ward appearance the liver of a hog in size and shape. 

 The young are protected by the mother for some 

 time after they leave the eggs, just as in the case of 

 the lau-lau (Silurus), and swim generally over her 

 head. They delight in the kirahaghs^ as those inlets 

 are called which many of the South American rivers 

 form, and where the water is quite currentless. 

 They are sometimes found in water scarcely so deep 

 as to cover them, and the fishermen frequently 

 attempt to drive them on shallow ground, where 

 they fall an easy prey. They are more plentiful in 

 the muddy than in the clear water. 



" The Rupununi is the only river in British Gui- 

 ana where they are to be found; and as during 

 high floods this river is said to mingle its waters 

 with those of the tributaries of the Rio Branco, 

 they may have entered the latter river. They are 

 occasionally carried by the flood, during the inun- 

 dations, to the Lower Essequibo, where it is known 

 that they have been taken. 



" I was assured by the inhabitants of the Rio 

 Negro that they have caught some fifteen feet long 

 and of twelve to thirteen arrobas (410 pounds) 

 weight. The specimen, the skin of which I brought 

 with me, and which is now in the possession of the 

 British Museum, measured, when taken, eight feet 

 one inch in length and three feet seven inches in 

 girth. The caudal fin was only five inches long 

 and eight inches broad, when extended." 



