POLYPTERUS. POLYPTERUS. 



Generic Character. 



Membr : branch : uniradi- 

 ata. 



Pinnte dorsales numerosae. 



Gill-membrane single-ray- 

 ed. 



Dorsal fins numerous. 



NILOTIC POLYPTERUS. 



Polypterus Niloticus. P. viridis, abdomine nigra maculato* 

 Green Polypterus, with the abdomen spotted with black, 

 Polyptere Bichir. Geoffroy, Annates du Museum d'Histoire 

 Naturelle. I* p. 57. pi, 5. 



Th E fish which constitutes this new and highly 

 remarkable genus appears to have been first scien- 

 tifically described by Mons^ E. GeofFroy, who con- 

 siders it as forming in some degree a connecting 

 link between the osseous and the cartilaginous 

 fishes. Mons'^. Geoffroy's observations relative to 

 its form and nature may be found in the work 

 mentioned at the close of the specific character. 



In point of general afiinity it seems most nearly 

 allied to the genus Esox, and especially to those 

 species which are furnished with large, strong and 

 bony scales. Its shape is long and serpentiform, 

 the body being nearly cylindrical : the head is de- 

 fended by large bony pieces or plates, and the 

 body covered with large and strong scales, very 



