, abJ 



ICHTHYOLOGY. 43 



CHAPTER X. 



Of Prickly-Jinned Abdominal Fish. 



Q. What are the principal genera in the class 

 of Prickly-finned Abdominal Fish ? 



A. The principal genera in this class are 

 1. Silurus ; 2. Mugil; 3, Polynemus; 4. Elops. 



Q. What species compose the genus Silurus ? 



A. The genus Silurus, contains twenty-eight 

 species, all of which have large depressed heads, 

 wide mouths, bearded by long tentacula, body 

 without scales. Silurus glaris is the most remark- 

 tie of this genus. 



Q. Describe Silurus glaris. 



A. Silurus glaris, the European Silure, is, next 

 Accipenser Huso, the largest of river fish, mea- 

 suring sometimes fifteen feet, and weighing three 

 hundred pounds. In general, however, it does 

 not exceed three feet ; it for the most part conti- 

 nues inactive in the mud at the bottom of the 

 river, where, by waving its tenticula, or beard, 

 which the smaller fishes mistake for worms, it en- 

 tices its prey within reach, seizes and devours 

 them. Its flesh is in no great esteem, but is eaten, 

 both fresh and salted, by the common people ; its 

 skin, when prepared, is hard and transparent as 

 6 



