CHAP. III.] 



THE SILURUS GLANIS. 



127 



stretching from the head, long tapering barbels ; the eyes are 

 frog-like, and there are many other points of resemblance to 

 the frog. The new fish is like the eel in its habits, being 

 a wallowing fish, fond of burrowing in the mud, and 

 hiding amongst the rotten roots of trees. There are dark 

 charges made against some of the largest specimens of the 



SILURUS GLANIS. 



Silurus glanis, in the stomachs of which it is reported that 

 portions of human bodies have been found. However, this is 

 probably an exaggeration. There can, however, be no doubt 

 of the extraordinary appetite and fierceness of this fish. In 

 the floods of the Danube the silurus finds plentiful prey in 

 the multitude of frogs which pass into the river ; but at 

 other times, fish, small animals, worms, indeed anything 

 which comes near, afford a supply of food ; and there may be 

 fear that, notwithstanding the valuable qualities of the silurus 



