133 



RED-BELLTEP SCIENJL 



Sciana? rubella. 



MACUSI, Cova ; WARRAU, Oborahai ; CREOLE, Bashaw ; 

 L. GERAL, Piscada. 



THIS fish undoubtedly belongs to the Scicenoides of 

 Cuvier and Valenciennes, having a double dorsal fin; 

 but without specimens, it is extremely difficult to 

 refer it to any of their individual divisions. It is al- 

 lied to Cormna^ Ombrina, and Mwropogon^ and will 

 most probably be found to range in one of these, 

 several species being found in the estuaries of the 

 South American coasts, and in the lakes and rivers 

 of the New World. " This fish, about twojeet in 

 length, is taken plentifully in most of the rivers of 

 Guiana, and is much esteemed for food ; they are 

 particularly plentiful in the Barima and Corentyn 

 rivers^where, at some seasons of the year, they are 

 the principal animal food of the Warrau Indians. 

 The scaling is rather small ; opercle terminates in a 

 point ; the gill-covers and whole head are entirely 

 covered with scales ; eyes yellow ; nostrils double, 

 and placed near them ; teeth fine, in single rows. 

 The body is silvery blue on the back, varying to 

 rose-colour on the belly and tail ; lateral line much 



