626 FISHES. 



Mormyrops), fifty-one species are known, of which eleven 

 occur in the Nile. Some attain a length of three or four feet, 

 others remain small. Their flesh is said to have an excellent 

 flavour. The species figured (and probably other allied 



Fig. 284. — Mormyrus oxyrhyuclius. 



species) was an object of veneration to the ancient Egyptians, 

 and, therefore, frequently occurs in their emblematic inscrip- 

 tions. They abstained from eating it because it was one of 

 three different kinds of fishes accused of having devoured a 

 member of the body of Osiris, which, therefore, Isis was unable 

 to recover when she collected the rest of the scattered mem- 

 bers of her husband. 



The Mormyri possess a singular organ on each side of the 

 tan, without electric functions, but evidently representing a 

 transitional condition from muscular siibstance to an electric 

 organ. It is an oblong capsule divided into numerous com- 

 partments by vertical transverse septa, and containiag a gela- 

 tinous substance. The Mormyri differ much with regard to 

 the extent of the dorsal and anal fins, the former sometimes 

 occupying the greater portion of the length of the back, 

 sometimes being much shorter and hmited to the tail. In 

 some the snout is short and obtuse, in others long and 

 decurved, with or without appendage. 



Of Gymnarchus one species only is known, G. niloticus, 

 which occurs in the JSTile and West African rivers, and 

 attains a length of six feet. The form of its body is eel-like, 

 and each jaw is armed with a series of incisor-like teeth. 



