21G 
TRAVELS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. 
CHRO HIDES. 
ClIROMIS, 
Body compressed, carp-like, covered with smooth, rather large 
scales j gill-covers sealy. One long dorsal fin, the anterior portion 
of which is formed by numerous spines; anal fin with three spines. 
Lateral line interrupted. Teeth compressed, generally lobate ; the 
anterior teeth form a continuous series, closely set. 
Cliromis niloticus, Hasselq. {Bolti.) 
D- rS-i- A. L. lat. 33. L. transv. 
Teeth very small, in several series ; scales below the eye in two 
series ; sometimes a rudimentary third series below the prseorbital ; 
snout obtusely conical, with the upper profile oblique ; caudal sub- 
truncated; the soft dorsal extends to, or nearly to, the middle of 
the caudal, if laid backwards. The height of the body is contained 
twice and one-third in the total length (without caudal) . 
The Bolti is one of the most common and best eating fishes of 
the Nile ; it is herbivorous, and attains to a length of twenty- four 
inches and more. 
