The fish armado is very properly named, for its back and sides are armed
all over with very sharp gills and fins, with which it endeavours to
wound the fisherman as he is taking the hook from its jaws, horribly
roaring at the same time and tossing itself about, on account of which
its head must be crushed with a strong stake as soon as it is taken out
of the river. Its head is round, resembling that of a frog, and shielded
by a very strong shell. It has small bright eyes, surrounded by a circle
of gold. Its mouth is narrow, but rendered terrific by a shaggy beard.
The body is of an iron-grey colour, and armed with very hard oblong
scales. This fish is thicker than it is long, and often weighs four,
often six pounds, or more. Its flesh is solid, extremely well tasted,
and on that account thought very wholesome for sick persons. The river
Paraguay abounds in this noble fish.