THE AROWANA OF GUIANA. 207 



a general article of food among the Indians, and are 

 well-tasted but bony, and do not keep long after 

 being killed." The size is not given, but it appears 

 to grow to some length ; that of 0. hicirrhosum is 

 stated as twenty-four inches. 



0. arowana^ — 

 D. 46_P. 7— V. 6— A. 55— C. 12_Br. 7— Vert. 92. 



0. hicirrhosum^ from Spix, — 



D. 42_P. 7— V. 6— A. 56— C. 6. 



The next family of which specimens or drawings 

 occur is that of the Salmon, which naturally seems 

 to stand between the True Herrings and the Carps 

 or Cyprinidoe. In placing some of the genera we 

 have found considerable difficulty, particularly in 

 the stations which Erythrinus and Prochilodus 

 should stand; both are connecting forms; and it 

 seems in a manner necessary that we should have 

 one among the Salmon without the adipose fin, 

 while a Carp might be expected with it. The two 

 genera above mentioned stand in this manner, 

 but both have in a great measure the internal 

 structure of the Carps. By Cuvier and Agassiz, 

 Erythrinus is placed among the Herrings ; by 

 Swainson it is put among the Carps; while, by 

 both, Prochilodus is arranged among the Salmons. 

 It is farther observations, with dissection, which 

 alone can ultimately settle these points, when the 

 facts to be ascertained have been pointed out to 

 inquirers ; but for the present we have thought it 



