THE ELECTRIC EEL. 19? 



Of this extraordinary fish. 



color, placed about three quarters of an inch 

 behind the nostrils, and more towards the sides 

 of the head. The whole head seems to be well 

 supported, but whether with bones or cartilages 

 I could not learn. The body is large, thick, and 

 roundish, for a considerable distance from the 

 head, and then gradually grows smaller, but at 

 the same time deeper to the point of the tail, 

 which is rather blunt. There are many light- 

 colored spots on the back and sides of the body, 

 placed at considerable distances in regular lines, 

 but more numerous and distinct towards the tail. 

 When the fish was swimming it measured six 

 inches in depth near the middle, from the upper 

 part of the back to the lower edge of the fin, and 

 it could not be more than two inches broad on 

 the back at that place. The whole body from 

 about four inches below the head, seems to be 

 clearly distinguished into four different longitu- 

 dinal parts or divisions. The upper part or back 

 is roundish, of a dark color, and separated from 

 the other parts on each side by the lateral lines, 

 which taking their rise at the base of the head, 

 just above the pectoral fins, run down the sides, 

 gradually converging, as the fish grows smaller, 

 to the tail, and make so visible a depression or 

 furrow in their course, as to distinguish this from 

 the second part or division, which may be pro- 

 perly called the body, or at least appears to be 

 the strong muscular part of the fish. The second 

 division is of a lighter, and more clear 



