67 



ASIATIC GYMNOTE. 



Gymnotus Asiaticus. G. squamosus dorso pinnato. Lin. Syst. 



Nat. Gmel. p. 1140. 

 Brownish Gymnote, with deeper bands, distinct scales, and 



finned back. 



This, like the former, departs, in some degree, 

 from the generic character : it is of a thickish form, 

 and more than a span in length, and is covered 

 both on the head and other parts with moderately 

 large rounded scales: the head is depressed, smooth- 

 ish, marked with five hollow dots, and by a small 

 foramen in front : before the nostrils are two abrupt 

 tentacula : the tongue is smooth : the teeth in 

 both jaws small, and there is also a row of small 

 teeth within the upper jaw, and a few hollowed 

 points in the lower : the gill-covers have a wide 

 opening : the body is subcylindric, compressed at 

 the hind part : the dorsal fin commences a little be- 

 hind the neck, and extends as far as the tail, and, 

 together with the hind part of the body, is speckled 

 with white : the lateral line is elevated and strait, 

 but descends over the vent. 



