VERTEBRATA. PISCES. 



nate very tragically, not doubting that by degrees 

 the greater part of the beasts would be drowned; 

 but the Indians assured us, that the fishing would 

 soon be at an end, and that it is only the first assault 

 of the Gymnotus that is to be dreaded. When the 

 combat had lasted about a quarter of an hour, the 

 mules and horses appeared less affrighted ; they no 

 longer bristled up the mane, and the eye was less 

 expressive of suffering and fear. They were no 

 longer seen to fall backwards ; and the Eels, swim- 

 ming with the body half out of the water, and now 

 flying from the horses instead of attacking them, 

 began themselves, in their turn, to approach the 

 shore."* 



The Sand Launce, (Ammodytes^ Lancea,) common 

 on our own shores, belongs to this Family. It has 

 the lengthened body of the Eels, with a fin running 

 down the back, and a forked anal. It is used 

 chiefly for bait, but is sometimes eaten. It is about 

 ten inches in length, of a silvery grey hue. 



* Obs. de Zool. 



t *A(A/Aos,cimmos, sand, "Suva, dyno, to dive. 



