626 



FISHES. 



I 



Mormyrops), fifty-one species are known, of which eleven 

 occur in the Nile. Some attain a length of three or four feet, 

 others remain small. Their flesh is said to have an excellent 

 flavour. The species figured (and probably other allied 



Fig. 284. — MormjTus oxyrliyucluis. 



species) was an object of veneration to the ancient Egyptians, 

 and, therefore, frequently occurs in their emblematic inscrip-- 

 tions. They abstained from eating it because it was one of 

 three different kinds of fishes accused of having devoured a 

 member of the body of Osiris, which, therefore, Isis was unable 

 to recover when she collected the rest of the scattered mem- 

 bers of her husband. 



The Mormyri possess a singular organ on each side of the 

 tail, without electric functions, but evidently representing a 

 transitional condition from muscular substance to an electric 

 organ. It is an oblong capsule divided into numerous com- 

 partments by vertical transverse septa, and containing a gela- 

 tinous substance. The Mormyri difter much with regard to 

 the extent of the dorsal and anal fins, the former sometimes 

 occupying the greater portion of the length of the back, 

 sometimes being much shorter and limited to the tail. In 

 some the snout is short and obtuse, in others long and 

 decurved, with or without appendage. 



Of G^mnarcliiis one species only is known, G. niloticus, 

 which occurs in the Nile and West African rivers, and 

 attains a length of six feet. The form of its body is eel-like, 

 and each jaw is armed with a series of incisor-like teeth. 



