THE 
NILOTIC POLYPTERUS. 
GENERIC CHARACTER, 
Gill-memhrane single-rayed. 
Dorsal fins numerous. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, ^c. 
Green Polypterus, with the abdomen spotted 
with black. 
Polyptere Bichir. 
Geoffrqy, Ann. Mus. Hist, Nat. 
vol. 1. p. 57. pi. 5. 
This remarkable fish seems to have been first scien- 
tifically described by Mons. GeofFroy, who considers it 
as forming a kind of connecting link between the 
osseous and cartilaginous fishes. In point of general 
affinity, it seems most aified to the genus Esox or 
Pike, and especially to such species as are furnished 
with strong or bony scales. Its shape is long and 
serpent! form, the body nearly cylindrical, the head 
defended by lengthened bony plates, and the body 
covered with large and strong scales, its usual length 
is about eighteen inches, and its colour sea-green, 
paler, or whitish on the abdomen. It is an inhabitant 
of the river Nile, where it is observed to reside in the 
soft mud, and is considered as one of the best of the 
Nilotic fishes, having a tender and savoury flesh ; and 
as it is difficult to open the skin with a knife, it is 
usual to boil the fish first, and afterwards draw off the 
skin whole. 
