POLYPTERUS NILOTICUS. 209 



strong and scaly base or cubit^ allowing the same sort of 

 motion as in those of the ChironectidcB. The pectoral 

 fins are placed close to the head, and are large_, broad at 

 their base, and much rounded ; but the ventrals are ex- 

 cessively remote from them, being situated very near the 

 caudal, close to which latter is the anal. The caudal is 

 rounded, and extends further upon the superior than 

 upon the inferior part of the tail, where it is met by a 

 long row of numerous dorsal finlets, whicii extend along 

 the whole of the back to within a short space of the 

 head : the number of these finlets varies from sixteen to 

 eighteen, each being of an oval shape, and furnished 

 with a very strong spine at its base or origin, while the 

 remaining part consists of four or five soft and branched 

 rays^ connected by a membrane : the first, or spiny ray, 

 at about two thirds of its height, sends off a small as- 

 cending point or spine. The rays of the caudal fin are 

 soft and articulated, but so disposed in the membrane 

 as to allow of little freedom of motion. The eyes are 

 small and round : the mouth of considerable width ; and 

 the jaws furnished with a row of rather small and sharp 

 teeth ; while the tip of the upper lip has a pair of small 

 and short cirri : the vent is close to the caudal fin, and 

 at the commencement of the anal. The branchial aper- 

 ture is large ; but in place of a membrane, there is only 

 a single bony plate, or semicircular arch. The stomach 

 is long and large ; the liver long, and unequally Jobed ; 

 the swimming bladder double, and loose ; the ovaries 

 long, and the eggs about the size of millet seeds. This 

 highly singular fish is very rare, and is called Bichir by 

 the Egyptians. It is generally supposed to inhabit the 

 depths of the Nile; usually remaining in the soft mud, 

 which it is thought to quit only at particular seasons : 

 its flesh is white and savoury. Not Jiaving seen this 

 type, we can only form some opinion of its relations by 

 the foregoing description of M. Geoffroy. The only 

 circumstance which makes us hesitate in placing it defi- 

 nitely in this order, is the circumstance of the branchial 

 aperture being large, — a structure altogether unexampled 



VOL. I. p 



