400 



SILUEIDJE. 



Stirling * has observed on a specimen kept with a Clarias in an aquarium, that the 

 Malopterurus procured food by giving shocks to his companion, and eating the partially 

 digested earthworms which the shock made him vomit, whilst he would refuse live 

 worms. The observer came to the conclusion that this was his natural way of procuring 

 food. 



On the whole, it is probable that Malopterurus feeds chiefly on decomposing animal 

 and vegetable matter. 



The mode of reproduction of Malopterurus is still unknown. Eggs ready to be 

 deposited measure about 2 millimetres in diameter. According to Nile fishermen, the 

 fish is in the habit of sheltering its young in its mouth. 



Malopterurus electricus does not seem to be very common anywhere in the Nile, 

 but appears to be generally distributed from its mouth to the Blue Nile and the Bahr- 

 el-Gebel. Dr. J. C. Mitchell f has observed it in the canals leading to Lake Menzaleh, 

 but it avoids salt water. He informs us that the electric subcutaneous tissue which 

 envelops the whole body is used in native pharmacy in affections of the respiratory 

 organs. " The electric tissue is cut out and dried, and the patient to be treated is 

 made to inhale the fumes arising from it roasted on a charcoal fire. This belief is 

 universal throughout Egypt, and it is strange that the torpedo fish of the Red Sea and 

 Mediterranean, which rejoices in the same name, should be used for a like purpose." 



Native names as recorded by Mr. Loat : — " Ma' ash " {ij&zj), at Kafr-el-Zayat, Cairo, 

 Samannud, Barrage N. of Cairo, Beni Souef; "ret? ad" (jlxy), at Assiut (at Cairo and 

 the Barrage N. of Cairo this name is also used for this species : sometimes the word 

 " aboo" is placed in front of "ra'ash" and "rdad"); "tunga" (*sfy), in Nubia; 

 « lerrdder " (s^-^), at Omdurman. 



* Journ. Anat. & Physiol, xiii. 1879, p. 350. 

 t Eep. Edible Fish. L. Menzaleh, 1895, p. 14. 



