The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-17
The CannibaI Fish of South America.

The book Of Don Ramon Paez, on "Ltie in
the Llanos of Venezuela" describes the strange
fish OF the waters 0tihat country Toe gymno-
tus, or electric eel, can stun a man by a sIugle
suoke, so that his contact is fatal to the soll-
tary swimmer. The payara has two or more
large, sharp teeth, which cut like razor, and
lDt1ict cash almost as severe as that OF
sabre. But the most dreaded of all is a little
crea ure OF the shape aud S re OF a carp, called.
from its ferocious habits, tue c0rtbe, or canui-
bal. Its vast numbers and Unsuitable appetite
render the rivers in many parts impossible
to men who would iace the crocodile without
flinchlDp. The author on several occasions
amused himself by endeaVoring TO secure speci-
mems OF this extraordinary hsb. Hooks were
useless. The strongest tacSle was bitten through
IN au instant; even the hooks themselves were
easily severed by the shark like tee tb, which
can penetfa'e iron or copper wire with apparent
ease; but by dipping piece OF tough OK hide
into the water he succeeded in boisung
number OF the tenacious CdrSbeS into his canoe,
and then found himself seriously embarrassed,
If not endangered, by the savage t.acks OF his
untamable captiyes. We give the description
OF ibis aquatic eannibal IL the authors own
Words:-
Each time the nets were hauled in shore, half
q dozen or more of these little pests were to be
seen jumping in the crowd, their jaws wide
open, tearing whatever came in their way
especially the meshes Of the nets, which they
soUp rendered useless. Their sharp triangular
teeth, arranged in the same manner as those of
the shark are so strong that neither copper,
steel, nor twiDe can withstand them. The sight
rouse their saUguinary appetite; aud as they
usually go in swarms, 1t is extremely dangerous
Tor man or beast TO enter the water with even
scratch upon their bodies. Horses wounued
with the spur are particularly exposed to their
at aCks, and so rapid is the work OF destruction
that, unless immediate assistance rs rendered,
the fish soon penetrate the abdomen of the
animal and speedily reduce it to skeleton (;
hence, doubtless, their appellation of HlendOR-
qttero-tripe.ea There are other varieties of
the caTbe in the rivers OF the Llanos, but noue so
bold and bloodthIrsty as this glutton OF the
waters. so abundant is this species IN some
| rivers of the Apure, that it is a common saying
| among Llaneros:-'Hhere is more Odribe than
| water"
| Every feature Of this miniature cannibal de-
| notes the ferocity and sanguiuary ure of its
| taues. The piercing eye, surrounded by a
blood looking rng is expressive OF Its cruel and
| bloodthirsty disposition. It's under jaw, lined
| with thick cartilagIuous membrane, which
| adds greatly to its strength, protudes consider.
| ably beyond the upper, giving, as this orma-
! likewise an expression of feI ocity. Large spots
| OF a brilliant orange hue cover great portion
| of It's body, especially the belly, 1ns and tail.
| TOWARDS the back it Is blush ash color, with a
slight tint of olive green, the intermediate
| spaces being OF pearly white while the gill
covers are tinged with red Tue inhabitants,
| being often compelled to swim across sire ans
| infested with them, entertain more tear of these
| little creatures than OF that world renowned
| monster the crocodile. This last, although q
| formidable antagonist in the water, can be
| mbat by daring men, while the former, from
| their diminutive size and greater nun oer., car
| do more mischief in q short time than legion
| of crocodileS.