BRASILIAN CUAPERVA. 
sometimes, it is found double that length. 
The middle of the body is thick ; and, where 
largest, is three fingers in circumference. 
There are no gills visible in this fish : nor has 
it any scales ; but, though the skin on the 
belly be soft, that on the rest of the body is 
harsh and rough to the touch. The mouth, 
which is very large, and projects like that of 
a Dog, is plentifully furnished with-small teeth: 
and, in the place of the tongue, there is a 
stoney substance. Between the eyes, which 
are of a very fine turquois blue colour, there 
fises an erect little horn, which has a slip-ht 
inclination backward towards it's extremity; 
and, in front of this horn, springs a slender 
thread, which projects forward, but is capable 
of being laid flat, and concealed in a small ca- 
vity adapted for it's reception. The skin of this 
fish is of a dull red colour, mixed with brown ; 
and, all over the body, there are black waved 
spots. The fins and tail are also of the same 
red colour, mixed with brown ; but the dorsal 
fill has four birge black or dusky spots. The 
tail, and all the smaller fins, are elegantly va- 
riegated. The belly is two fingers long, with 
an opening of three fingers in extent, and about 
tw o 
