SHEAT-FISHES. 
229 
jficiently capacious to gorge a child of six years 
old. It is found in the rivers of Africa and Asia, 
as well as those of Europe. The body is thick 
and long, but the abdomen is short ; the tail, (by 
which is meant, not the caudal fin, but the part 
of the body behind the vent,) long and muscular ; 
the head broad and depressed. The upper parts 
are of a deep green hue, becoming paler on the 
sides, and merging into yellow on the belly ; the 
SHEAT-FISH. 
whole obscurely mottled. The fins are partly 
blue, and partly yellow. 
The fiesh of this species is greatly in demand 
on account of its good qualities ; it is sent to the 
markets of Paris from the rivers of Germany. It 
is described as white, fat, and agreeable to the 
taste, but luscious, soft, and difficult of digestion 
to weak stomachs. The flesh is so greasy that it 
is said to be used as a substitute for lard. 
