situate 
246 
Genus XLV. Silurus *, 
A. VARIETY of exotic fiflies are contained in this tribe } 
that which we feleft for defcription is found in the Da- 
nube and Vijlula , fometimes in the Rhine, and the lakes 
of Germany. It grows to the length fometimes of fix- 
teen feet, and weighs an hundred and fifty pounds. At 
Vienna, Willoughby obfervcd them of this prodigious 
bulk f . The belly feems as if worn by continual rub- 
bing on the ground, whence it is probable that the filurus 
frequents the bottom of the water. It is extremely vo- 
racious, and deftrudtive to other filk wherever it appears: 
by many it is commended as an article of food, when 
fkilfully dreffed. 
This animal refembles the eel in colour, and that vif- 
cous fubftance with which the body is covered. The 
belly and fides are variegated with large fpots of black 
and white, and the whole is dellitute of fcales. The 
head is broad, and much flattened. When the jaws are 
open, the gape of this filh is tremenduous ; for it extends 
almoft the whole length of the head. Before the eyes 
fhere are two antennas, refembling the feelers of infers, 
and probably deftined to ferve the fame purpofe. From 
the under lip, there hang four fimilar feelers, which the 
animal is faid to call annually 
' The 
* Silurus Rondel. The Sheat-fiih, Will. 
f Ichthyology, page iag, | vide Gefnerum apud Will, 
