EUROPEAN SILURE. 



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being rarely observed in motion, and commonly 

 lying half imbedded in the soft bottom of the rivers 

 it frequents, under the projecting roots of trees, 

 rocks, logs, or other substances. In this situation 

 it remains, with its wide mouth half open, gently 

 moving about the long cirri or tentacula situated 

 on each side the jaws, which the smaller fishes 

 mistaking for v/orms, and attempting to seize, be- 

 come a ready prey to the sluggish Silure. The 

 usual colour of this species is dark olive, varied 

 with irregular spots of black; the abdomen and 

 lips being of a pale flesh-colour, and the fins tinged 

 with violet. It is an inhabitant of the larger rivers 

 of Europe, as well as some parts of Asia and Africa; 

 but appears to be most plentiful in the north of 

 Europe. It is in no very high estimation as a food, 

 the flesh being of a somewhat glutinous nature, 

 but, from its cheapness, is in much request among 

 the inferior ranks, and is eaten either fresh or 

 salted : the skin also, which is smooth, and desti- 

 tute of apparent scales, is dried and stretched, and 

 after rubbing with oil, becomes of a horny trans- 

 parency and strength, and is used in some of the 

 northern regions instead of glass for windows. 

 The Silure is not a very prolific fish; depositing 

 but a small quantity of spawn, consisting of large 

 globules or ova : these, as well as the newly hatched 

 young, are frequently the prey of other fishes, 

 frogs, &c. and thus the great increase of the species 

 is prevented. The ova, according to Dr. Blochj>' 

 usually hatch in the space of seven or nine days 

 frpm their exclusion. 



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