GYMNOTUS. GYMNOTE. 



Generic Character. 



Caput operculis lateralibus. 

 Tentacula duo ad labium su- 

 per ius. 

 Oculi cute communi tecti. 



Membranabranchiostega, ra- 

 diis quinque. 



Corpus compressum, subtus 

 pinna carinatum, dorso 

 (plerisque) apterygio. 



Head with lateral opercula. 

 Tentacula two on the upper 



up. 



Eyes covered by the common 

 skin. 



Gill-membrane five-ra}~ed . 



Body compressed, without 

 dorsal fin( in most species), 

 but carinated by a fin 

 beneath. 



ELECTRICAL GYMNOTE. 



Gymnotus Electricus. Gymnotus anguilliformis fuscus, cauda 

 obtusa. 



Anguilliform brown Gymnote, with obtuse tail. 



Gymnotus electricus. G, nudus dorso apterygio, pinna caudali 



obtusissima anali annexa. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 427. 

 Gymnotus electricus. Block, ichth. 5. p. 38. t. 156. 



JL H E peculiar species of electricity or Galvanism 

 exerted at pleasure by this extraordinary animal 

 is such as greatly to surpass that of the Torpedo, 

 so long the subject of admiration both in ancient 

 and modern times. The electric Gymnotus is a 

 native of the warmer regions of Africa and America, 



