154 TEN-FINGERED POLYNEME. 



the towns of Achmim, Girge, and others, repair at 

 intervals to the shores as to a fish-market, and are 

 thus supplied by the country people. 



TEN-PINGERED POLYNEME, 



Polynemus Decadactylus. P. argenteo-fascvs, cap'itc obtusissimo, 



oculis muxiwis, digit is utrinque dccoi>, cauda furcata. 

 Silvery-brown Polyneme, with very obtuse head, very large 



eyes, ten shortish thoracic filaments on each side, and forked 



tail. 

 Polynemus decadactylus. P. ratlns dcccm liberis jitgularibus. 



Block, t. 401. 



THIS is a species of considerable size, generally 

 measuring from one to two feet : its colour is an 

 uniform deep yellowish brown, darker on the back, 

 and glossed with silver on the sides and abdomen, 

 the silvery tinge appearing like a spot or patch on 

 the middle of each scale : the head is abruptly 

 rounded off in front, so as to appear excessively 

 obtuse : the eyes are very large, with a bright 

 silvery iris : the mouth of moderate width, and the 

 tongue smooth and loose : the thoracic filaments 

 are ten in number on each side, and of very mode- 

 rate length, extending only a few inches : the tail 

 is deeply forked. 



This species is a native of the African seas, and 

 is not uncommon about the coasts of Guinea, oc- 

 casionally entering the rivers of that country, and is 

 considered as a wholesome and agreeable fish for 

 the table. 



