— 14 — 



cATFisHEs rpj^g Siluridae or catfishes are represented by numerous 



Armoot, etc. 



species of Clarias (^j'J) armoot, Schilhe {'^}^) shilbe, 

 Synoclontis (JL^) shal, and Bagrus{c^^:) bayad or (oL*^) 

 docmac. All these are to be found in the fresh poi^tions 

 of the lake after the high Nile, but of these, the "armoot" 

 only seems to be occur throughout the year. They are 

 captured either by nets or on hooks. The flesh is insipid 

 and watery; it is usedonly by the poorer classes, to whom 

 tish is a welcome change to the monotony of domTa 

 cakes. 

 The electric Mttlapterurus electricus (uMS) ra'ash, although absent 

 oi the Nile. fpQj^ ^j^g \d,\e, is found in the canals leading to it. As its 

 name implies, it is an electric fish ; its electricity is gene- 

 rated in a subcutaneous tissue which envelopes the whole 

 nlti??phir- body, and an interesting fact in native pharmacy is the 

 use of this structure in affections ot the lungs and respira- 

 tory 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. 



Other Nile fish occur in the lake, but as their presence 

 HANASH. is accidental, I may pass them over. The eel [J-'>=- 

 hanash) only requires mention. It is found in large num- 

 bers at the Gameel entrance in the month of December. 

 They are then migrating to the sea to spawn, and I am 

 informed that a month later ( January ) crowds of young 

 eels are caught entering the lake 



