ELECTRICAL GYMNOTS. 



45 



of a blueish colour, placed about three quarters of 

 an inch behind the nostrils, and more towards the 

 sides of the head. The whole head seems to be 

 well supported ; but whether with bones or carti- 

 lages I could not learn. The body is large, thick, and 

 roundish, for a considerable distance from the head, 

 and then gradually grows smaller, but at the same 

 time deeper, or becomes of an acinaciform shape, 

 to the point of the tail, which is rather blunt. 

 There are many light-coloured spots on the back 

 and sides of the body, placed at considerable di- 

 stances in regular lines, but more numerous and 

 distinct towards the tail. When the fish was swim- 

 ming, it measured six inches in depth near the 

 middle, from the upper part of the back to the 

 lower edge of the fin, and it could not be more 

 than two inches broad on the back at that place. 

 The whole body, from about four inches below the 

 head, seems to be clearly distinguished into four 

 different longitudinal parts or divisions. The upper 

 part or back is roundish, of a dark colour, and 

 separated from the other parts on each side by the 

 lateral lines ; which, taking their rise at the base of 

 the head, just above the pectoral fins, run clown the 

 sides, gradually converging, as the fish grows smaller, 

 to the tail, and make so visible a depression or fur- 

 row in their course, as to distinguish this from the 

 second part or division, which may be properly 

 called the body, or at least, appears to be the 

 strong muscular part of the fish. This second di- 

 vision is of a lighter and more clear blueish colour 

 than the upper or back part, and seems to swell 



