ICHTHYOLOGY, 45 



A. Polynemus Paradiseus, or Mango fish, is of 

 elegant shape, and has certain rays or filaments 



oceeding from the base of the pectoral fins, con- 

 iderably beyond the tail ; it is of a yellowish co- 

 , is an inhabitant of the Indian and American 



as, and is highly valued as an article of food. 



Q. What may be observed of the other species ? 



A. Polynemus Plebeis is a large species, some- 

 times measuring four feet in length ; it inhabits 

 the same seas as the preceding, and is likewise 

 esteemed excellent. Polynemus Niloticus, as its 

 name imports, is found in the Nile, and grows to 

 a large size. The whole body is covered with 

 scales of a silver colour. 



Q. Is not this species taken in a singular man- 

 ner? 



A. Yes; the Egyptian peasants form a large 

 cake of ingredients that will attract the fish ; in 

 the midst of this cake, several hooks with dates * 

 on them are concealed, and to each hook a string 



attached. A man having sunk the mass in the 

 iiddle of the stream, carries the ends of the strings 



shore, and fastens each of them to a separate 

 palm branch, to which a small bell is attached. 





* A fruit peculiar to hot countries. 



