252 THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. CHAP. XIV. 



(Salmo dentex*), the Kisher or Gisher (Perca Ni- 

 lotica), and the Bimiy (Cyprinus lepidotus). I have 

 previously stated the probability of the first of these 

 having been theLepidotust; yet the form of what I 

 beheve to be this sacred fish, represented in bronzes 

 found at Thebes, accords rather with the last; 



though the modern 

 name kisher, signi- 

 fying "scaly," may 

 tend to strengthen 

 the claim of the se- 

 cond of the three. 



No.4G4.6, Bronze Lepidotus (in my possession). T^iif- flip inflpfinite 



name of kisher appears to be often applied to other 

 fish, besides the Perca Nilotica ; and it is evident 

 that the Binny is also called by the Arabs kisher. 

 The Binny is the Cyprinus lepidotus of the "De- 

 scription de I'Egypte," and the same as represented 

 in the bronze of the preceding woodcut. 



De Pauwt supposes the Latus to be the Perca 

 Nilotica, but I do not know on what authority. 

 Were it not for the circumstance of the bronze fish 

 bearing a stronger resemblance to the Binny than 

 to any other with which I am acquainted, I should 

 not suppose it to have been a forbidden fish, since 

 it is one of the best and most wholesome the Nile 

 produces, and should still have ];referrcd giving 

 the name of Lepidotus to the Kelb el Bahr, 

 whose appearance might serve to prejudice them 

 against it., 



* Or Cluiracimis dentex of Savigny. f Siijny), V(;l. III. p. 59. 

 % De Pauw, vol. i. sect. --5, p. 136. 



