434 DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM. 



is that of the polypteri, a species of which was 

 discovered in the Nile by M. Geoffroy, who named 

 it p. bicker (miotic polypierus) ; it is described 

 and figured in the Annals of the Museum, vol. I, 



p. 57, fig. 5. 



The third family, that of the pikes (esoces) , is 

 divided into three genera. The pikes proper, the 

 flying fishes, and the mormyri. These are all ex- 

 tremely voracious ; the greater part of them live 

 in the sea. We have twenty-five species in the 

 cabinet, which M. Cuvier has subdivided into 

 nine sub-genera; one only of which (the chau- 

 liodus) is wanting in the collection. 



The European pike is universally known. An- 

 other fresh water species, from North America, 

 sent to us by M. Lesueur, bears the name of reti- 

 culated pike. 



The orphies are remarkable for their long snout 

 and their green bones. We have four species 

 of them ; one of which, the gar pike (esooc be- 

 lone), is a native of the European seas ; the three 

 others, from the American. coasts, have been de- 

 scribed by M. Lesueur. The hemiramphi, Cuv. , 

 have a remarkable character; the lower jaw 

 being considerably prolonged beyond the upper, 

 into a long point without teeth. One of the 

 three species we possess is from Brazil, the others 

 are from India. 



