APODAL MALACOPTERYGII. 171 



Gymnotus.* 



In this genus, the anal fin extends under the 

 greater part of the body, and generally to the tail, 

 but there is no dorsal whatever; they have no scales : 

 all the species, which are not numerous, inhabit the 

 rivers of South America. The most singular species, 

 and perhaps the most remarkable of all fishes, is the 

 Electric Gymnote (G. Electricus}. It is generally 

 about three feet in length, but sometimes reaches 

 that of five or six, and a circumference of two feet. 

 The head is full of pores, from which spreads a vis- 

 cous matter ; other similar pores, but smaller, are 

 found all over the body, so that when kept in con- 

 finement, it is necessary to change the water daily. 

 Its tail is long and muscular, which it whirls about 

 with great agility. As it has the power of communi- 

 cating violent electric shocks, and of stunning the 

 largest animals, it is much dreaded. A road near 

 Uritucu, was obliged to be abandoned, on account of 

 the number of mules that were yearly stunned and 

 drowned, at a stream which it crossed. Humboldt 

 found the shock of one greater than that of a large 

 Leyden phial, completely charged. Having placed 

 his feet on one, he received a terrific shock, and felt 

 for the rest of the day a very severe pain in his 

 knees, and all the joints of his body. As water is a 

 conductor of electricity, a person may be struck at 



* TU/U.VOS, gymnos, naked, and vuref, notos, the back ; from its having no 

 dorsal fin. 



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