=ORDER Scyphophori.=—The _Scyphophori_ (σκύφος, cup; φορέω, to bear) constitutes a small order which lies apparently between the _Gymnonoti_ and the _Isospondyli_. Boulenger unites it with the _Isospondyli_. The species, about seventy-five in number, inhabit the rivers of Africa, where they are important as food-fishes. In all there is a deep cavity on each side of the cranium covered by a thin bony plate, the supertemporal bone. There is no symplectic bone, and the subopercle is very small or concealed. The gill-openings are narrow and there are no pharyngeal teeth. The air-bladder connects with the ear, but not apparently in the same way as with the _Ostariophysan_ fishes, to which, however, the _Scyphophori_ are most nearly related. In all the _Scyphophori_ the body is oblong, covered with cycloid scales, the head is naked, there are no barbels, and the small mouth is at the end of a long snout. All the species possess a peculiar organ on the tail, which with reference to a similar structure in _Torpedo_ and _Electrophorus_ is held to be a degenerate electric organ. According to Günther, "it is without electric functions, but evidently representing a transitional condition from muscular substance to an electric organ. It is an oblong capsule divided into numerous compartments by vertical transverse septa and containing a gelatinous substance." =The Mormyridæ.=—There are two families of _Scyphophori_. The _Mormyridæ_ have the ordinary fins and tail of fishes and the _Gymnarchidæ_ are eel-like, with ventrals, anal and caudal wanting. _Gymnarchus miloticus_ of the Nile reaches a length of six feet, and it is remarkable as retaining the cellular structure of the air-bladder as seen in the garpike and bowfin. It doubtless serves as an imperfect lung. The best-known genus of _Scyphophori_ is _Mormyrus_. Species of this genus found in the Nile were worshiped as sacred by the ancient Egyptians and pictures of _Mormyrus_ are often seen among the emblematic inscriptions. The Egyptians did not eat the _Mormyrus_ because with two other fishes it was accused of having devoured a limb from the body of Osiris, so that Isis was unable to recover it when she gathered the scattered remains of her husband. In _Mormyrus_ the bones of the head are covered by skin, the snout is more or less elongated, and the tail is generally short and insignificant. One of the most characteristically eccentric species is _Gnathonemus curvirostris_, lately discovered by Dr. Boulenger from the Congo. Fossil _Mormyridæ_ are unknown. [Illustration: FIG. 149.—_Gnathonemus curvirostris_ Boulenger. Family _Mormyridæ_. Congo River. (After Boulenger.) ]