SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &C. 239 



former of which, are several holes. It has a wide mouth 

 without teeth. When the fish is grasped with the hand, a 

 galvanic shock is received ; a similar eft'ect takes place when 

 touched with a metallic rod, when held by a hook and line, 

 pr even where there is no other conductor but the air, if 

 the hand be very near the fish. This shock depends upon 

 the will of the animal, for if it is not irritated, the hand 

 may be held near without perceiving any sensation. The 

 galvanic eel is an inhabitant of fresh water, and is often 

 found in the river Essequebo. It appears to be unable to live 

 long without the access of air, as it very frequently comes to 

 the surface of the water to fetch breath. It lives principally 

 upon small fish, and is itself eaten by the natives. 



The frog fish of Guyana is a great curiosity, I never saw 

 but one which embraced the properties of both, as they go 

 through the regular gradations of a frog, a frog fish, and a fish. 



We have a large land crab here, which is much eaten by 

 the inhabitants. It is of a square form, each side being about 

 two inches and a half long, and of a light blue, or whitish 

 colour. It has many legs, and two large claws like those of 

 a lobster. These crabs live in holes in the mud,, on the shores 

 of the sea and rivers near their mouths, and at low water ap- 

 pear in great numbers on the mud. 



