presented to the Zoological Society. 247 



lakes, living on the slime ; it grows to the length of eight inches, and 

 lays its eggs in holes which it forms in the borders of the lakes. 



A fifth fish to which I would call your attention, is a species of Lori- 

 caria, a generic name which I employ in the restricted signification given 

 to it by M. Lacepede. This fish appears to differ from the two species 

 hitherto described (with which, however, I am acquainted only through 

 the medium of the representations contained in the noble work of Bloch,) 

 by the form of its intermediate sub-thoracic plates. In the Loric. Cata- 

 phracta, Linn., the whole of the sub-thoracic plates are small, and have 

 the form and appearance of scales ; in the Loric. maculata, Bloch, the 

 larger and variously shaped anterior plates are succeeded by several rows, 

 each of which extends across the under surface, and is divided into a 

 middle and two lateral plates, so as to form three nearly longitudinal se- 

 ries ; in my specimen these last-mentioned plates pass completely across 

 the under surface of the thorax, and are undivided ; the only mark which 

 they exhibit being a slight line traversing the middle of each. 



LORICARIA BRUNNEA. 



Loric, brunnea : ore haud barbato : laminis pectoralibus intermediis in- 



divisis, 



D. i. P. ' V. Ji. A. i. C. 12. 



6 



The body is long, flattened, tapering from head to tail, enveloped in 

 a quadruple row of strong dense scales, the lateral ones angular, with a 

 double row of barbs on each side, pointing backwards the whole length. 

 The colour of the body is brownish, the length ten or twelve inches. 

 The head flat. The mouth under the snout is of a sucker form. 



It is found in the branches and lakes of the Orinoko.* It is called 

 Corroncho by the Spaniards, equally with the last, and Gaasiguam by 

 the Warrows. Its habits are the same as those of the last. 



♦ I take this opportunity of stating that I am indebted for n:\uch information 

 respecting the animals of the Orinoko, as well as many of the specimens which 

 I have brought to England, to Don Jose Estevan, of Santa Catalina, on the Ori- 

 noko, a gentleman who has paid considerable attention to Natural History, and 

 particularly to the habits and oeconomy of animals. Mrs. Hancock also, being 

 fond of those researches, has supplied me with many local names and transla- 

 tions from her native language, the Spanish, 



fTo be continued, J 



