432 



Fishes. 



THE HOENED SILUKE, 

 (Silurus, or Ageneiosus militarist) 



GROWS to a large size, weighing sometimes three hundred 

 pounds, and measuring eight to ten feet in length, and 

 two in breadth. It has a broad, flat, thin head ; and the 

 horns, which are on each side of the upper lip, are armed 

 with short crooked spines, like teeth. A remarkable pe- 

 culiarity in this fish is the dorsal fin, which is close to 

 the head, and is long, stiff, dentated like the horns, and 

 is, no doubt, an instrument of defence. In colour it re- 

 sembles the eel, and has no scales ; only one small fin on 

 the back, and a forked tail ; its flesh is esteemed next to 

 that of the eel, and has a similar flavour. This fish is a 

 great depredator, and makes considerable havoc among 

 the smaller inhabitants of the rivers and lakes which it in- 

 habits. It is a native of the fresh waters of Asia. The 

 Danube, and several other rivers of Germany, and the 

 lakes of Switzerland and Bavaria contain numerous 

 specimens of Silurus. 



