Volume 38, Plate XXX / Ichthyology (Fish)

Unarmed Eremophilus & Pimelodus of the Volcanos

Eremophilus mutsii & Pimelodus cyclopum

1. Unarmed Eremophilus. Discovered by Humboldt in the little river Bogota above the cataract of Tequendama at 1347 toises, this unarmed Eremophilus represents a scaleless form among the Siluridae, its body covered with strong mucus and greyish blue spotted with undulated olive-green. The flattened head bears a narrow mouth with a lengthened folded upper lip, six fleshy barbules, hair-like teeth, and very small membrane-covered eyes; ten to twelve inches long, it makes agreeable food eaten during Lent.
2. The Pimelodus of the Volcanos. About four inches long, this Pimelodus of the volcanos lives in the rivulets and lakes of Quito at 1700 toises, of olive colour with small dark spots, a large terminal mouth with two barbules, very small eyes, and a thick strong mucus that makes it disgusting to all but the lower Indians. Remarkably, during eruptions the volcanos discharge it in thousands, perfect and little mutilated, supposed by Humboldt to come from subterranean lakes.