Fishes . er Kerr.) collections, but quite recently large numbers have been ob-tained, and Dr. J. Graham Kerr of the University of Cambridgehas given a very useful account of its structure and develop-ment. From his memoir we condense the following recordof its habits as seen in the swamps in a region known as GranChaco, which lies under the Tropic of Capricorn. These swamps Subclass Dipneusti, or Lung-fishes 243 in the rainy season have a depth of from two to four feet, be-coming entirely dry in the southern winter (June, July). Kerr on the Habits of Lepidosiren.—The loalach, as the Lepi-dosir
Fishes . er Kerr.) collections, but quite recently large numbers have been ob-tained, and Dr. J. Graham Kerr of the University of Cambridgehas given a very useful account of its structure and develop-ment. From his memoir we condense the following recordof its habits as seen in the swamps in a region known as GranChaco, which lies under the Tropic of Capricorn. These swamps Subclass Dipneusti, or Lung-fishes 243 in the rainy season have a depth of from two to four feet, be-coming entirely dry in the southern winter (June, July). Kerr on the Habits of Lepidosiren.—The loalach, as the Lepi-dosircn is locally called, is normally sluggish, wriggling slowlyabout at the bottom of the swamp, using its hind limbs inirregular alternation as it clambers through the dense vegeta-tion. More rapid movement is brought about by lateralstrokes of the large and powerful posterior end of the burrows with great facility, gliding through the mud, forwhich form of movement the shape of the head, with the. Fig. 178 —Embryo (3 days before hatching and larva (13 days after hatching)of Lepidosiren paradoxa Fitzinger. (After Kerr.) Upper lip overlapping the lower and the external nostril placedwithin the lower lip, is admirably adapted. It feeds on plants,algte, and leaves of flower-plants. The gills are small and quiteunable to supply its respiratory needs, and the animal mustrise to the surface at intervals, like a frog. It breathes withits lungs as continuously and rhythmically as a mammal, theair being inhaled through the mouth. The animal makes novocal sound, the older observation that it utters a cry likethat of a cat being doubtless erroneous. Its strongest sense isthat of smell. In darkness it grows paler in color, the black 244 Subclass Dipneusti, or Lung-fishes chromatophores shrinking in absence of light and enlarging inthe sunshine. In injured animals this reaction becomes muchless, as they remain pale even in daylight. In the rainy season when food is abundant the Le
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