OSSEOUS FISHES. 



537 



worms, on which it feeds, while it shelters itself from the jaws of 

 many voracious fishes, which eagerly pursue it Tor its delicate flesh. 

 In appearance the Ammodytes lancea is silvery blue, brighter on the 

 lower parts than on the upper, the radiating fins on the abdomen 

 being alternately white and bluish in colour. 





Fig. 363. The Lance (A. lancea;. 



The gymnotes are long, nearly cylindrical, and also serpent-like, 

 the tail being long in comparison to the other parts of the body. 

 Beneath the tail is a long swimming fin, the only locomotive organ, 





Fig. 364. The Gymnotus Electricus, or Electrical Eel. 



and it is this nakedness of the back which confers its designation of 

 yvfivbs, naked, VQOTOS, l>ack. 



The Gymnotes are fresh-water fishes of South America, where they 

 attain a great size. There are several species, but the most remark- 



