MALACOPTERYGII* 577 



The ELECTRIC EEL, Gymnotus (Gr.gumnos, naked ; notes, back,) 

 electricus, has no tail fin, and the scales are imperceptible. It is 

 sometimes five or six feet long. By its electric shocks, it knocks 

 down men and horses, and by repeating its discharges is able to kill 

 them. It can be obtained only after its electric power has been ex- 

 hausted by successive shocks. The Indians of South America drive 

 wild horses into the muddy ponds in which these Eels abound, 

 in order to secure them. Two specimens, taken in the waters 

 of the Amazon, have been sent to Professor Henry, of the Smith- 

 sonian Institute. The Gymnotus, (see Chart,) and the Torpedo are 

 able either to emit or withhold this electric power. 



(N. B. The Electric Eels are sometimes separated from the 

 Common Eels, and formed into the family Gymnotida.) 



SUB-ORDER LOPHOBRANCHII, OR LOPHOBRANCHIA. (Gr. tuft-gills.) 



The fishes of this sub-order are characterized by having the 

 gills in small tufts along the branchial arches, instead of being 

 comb-like. In this and the following sub-order the internal 

 skeleton is but partly ossified. 



(27) Syngnathida, (Gr. sun> together ; gnathon, jaw.) PIPE- 

 FISHES. 



These fishes have the body covered with angular, bony plates, 

 so arranged that the body itself is many sided. The gill-covers 

 are large, but soldered down for the greatest part of their edge, 

 leaving only a small orifice for the discharge of the water which 

 has been respired. The male pipe-fish, Syngnathus, has a pouch 

 or pocket in which he receives the eggs as they are laid. In 

 this he also carries the young for some time. Some species are 

 without pouches, but have indentations on the abdomen where 

 the eggs are placed. 



The SEA-HORSE, Hippocampus, (Gr. a sea-horse,) has eyes 

 which move independently, and is the only fish known to have a 

 prehensile tail. It is found in the Hudson river from five 

 to six inches in length. When dried this fish curls up and in 

 form resembles a horse. (See fig. on Chart.) 



The SHORT-NOSED SEA-HORSE, H. brevirostris, is found on 

 the coasts of Great Britain. It is about five inches long ; some- 

 times it is found coiled up in oyster shells. 



SUB-ORDER PLECTOGNATHI. (Gr. plaited or twisted jaws.) 



This sub-order is distinguished by the interior union of some 

 of the bones of the head. 



