1900.] FAUNA OF THE WHITE NILE. 969 



VI. FISHES. 



Mr. G. A. Boulenger, F.B.S., has kindly determined the following 

 fishes, specimens of which I collected and sent to the British 

 Museum. 



1. POLYPTERUS SENEGALUS. 



Specimens were obtained on the Bahr-el-Zeraf, Bahr-el-Jebel, 

 and Bahr-el-Grhazal. On the 8th of April two were caught with 

 rod and line, by dangling a little piece of meat on a hook just 

 under the surface of the water in a little shallow muddy backwater 

 of the Jebel. 



2. POLYPTERUS BICHIR. 



On the 7th April a specimen was caught by hand on the Bahr- 

 el-Jebel, frightened by the approaching steamer it had jumped out 

 of the water on to the sudd. 



Colour (in life). Olive-green, darker on the top of the head and 

 along back, pale lemon-yellow below. Lips and underneath of 

 head washed with pink. Tentacle red. Red lights about gills 

 and pectoral fins. Body about vent, and ends of ventral, anal, 

 and caudal fins, tinged with bright red. Iris yellow. 



3. Heterotis niloticus. 



Sometimes called the " White Nile Salmon," and said to be very 

 good eating, but I have not tried it personally. Specimen caught 

 at Gabt-el-Meghahid on the 15th of April : — Total length over all 

 2 feet 3 inches ; depth (at vent) 5f inches. 



4. Gymnarchus niloticus. 



A specimen of this large eel-like fish was caught near the 

 junction of the Ghazal aud Homar rivers on the 29th March ; 

 it measured in total length 3 feet 9| inches. 



5. TlLAPIA NILOTICA. 



A "Boultee" was caught at Gabt-el-Meghahid on the 

 15th April, and on the 29th March when steaming down the 

 Bahr-el-Arab a large one jumped on board the gunboat : we ate it, 

 but the flesh was not nice, being soft and " muddy." 



6. Synodontis schall. 



This Siluroid seemed numerous on the Bahr-el-Zeraf, specimens 

 were caught on hook and line from the steamer while tied up 

 to the bank. 



7. Baorus docmac. 

 Bahr-el-Zeraf, caught as above. 



8. Clarias lazera. 

 Bahr-el-Zeraf, caught as above. 



