2^6. SiLURUSi 



Genus XLV. Silurus *• 



A VARIETY of exotic fiflies are contained in this tribe j 

 that which we feleft for defcription is found in the Da- 

 nube and Vi/lula, fometimes in the Rhine ^ and the lakes- 

 of Germany. It grows to the length fometimes of fix- 

 teen feet, and weighs an hundred and fifty pounds. At 

 Vienna, Willoughby obferved them of this prodigious 

 bulk f . The belly feems as if worn by continual rub- 

 bing on the ground, whence it is probable that the filurus 

 frequents the bottom of the water. It is extremely vo- 

 racious, and deftrudlive to other fifh wherever it appears: 

 liy many it is commended as an article of food, when 

 Ikilfully drelTed. 



This animal refembles the eel in colour, and that vif- 

 cous fubllance with which the body is covered. The 

 belly and fides are variegated with large fpots of black 

 and white, and the whole is dellitute of fcales. The 

 head is broad, and much flattened. When the jaws are 

 open, the gape of this fifh is tremenduous ; for it extends 

 almoft the whole length of the head. Before the eyes 

 there are two antennge, refembling the feelers of infeds, 

 and probably deflined to ferve the fame purpofe. From 

 the under lip, there hang four fimilar feelers, which the 

 animal is faid to call annually :|:* 



Th^ 



* Silurus Rondel. The Shcat-fifii, Will. 



t Ichthyology, page laS, \ Vide Gelherum apud Will. 



