DIPNEUSTI 517 



the Fish finally sinks a few bubbles of surplus air escape through 

 the gill-clefts. A nocturnal and protective change of colour, 

 similar to that described in Protopterus, has been observed, and 

 although most strikingly manifest in the larvae, it also occurs in 

 individuals of older growth. The flesh is much esteemed as food 

 by the Indians, who wade into the swamps and transfix the 

 Fishes with spears. During the rainy season the Lepidosiren eats 

 voraciously, and a reserve of fat is stored up in the tissues. Like 

 its African relative, the Fish ceases to feed on the approach of 

 the dry season, and eventually hibernates at the dilated ex- 

 tremity of a deep tubular burrow, the entrance to which is 

 plugged by a small lump of clay perforated by several round 

 holes. On the rising of the water at the next rainy season the 

 Lepidosiren pushes out the plug and soon emerges from its 

 burrow. 1 The breeding season begins soon after the escape of 

 the Fish. The eggs are deposited in nests in the form of 

 underground burrows excavated in the black peaty soil at the 

 bottom of the swamp, with an entrance about 4-5 inches wide. 

 At a depth of about a foot the burrow takes a horizontal 

 course, its total length varying from 2-5 feet. After the eggs 

 are laid the male remains to guard them. During the breeding 

 season the pelvic limbs of the male 

 enlarge and become covered by a 

 rich growth of highly vascular, 

 blood-red filaments 2-3 inches in 

 length 2 (Fig. 310). The use of 

 these curious structures is uncer- 

 tain, but it is not improbable that 

 they act as accessory gills to enable 

 the male to guard the eggs in the FIG a^.-PeivicTlimb of the male 



nest without being forced tO resort Lepidosiren during the breeding 



,, ,, mi season. (From Graham Kerr.) 



to the surface to breathe air. I he 



development is essentially similar to that of Protopterus. The 

 larva (Fig* 311) has four pairs of cutaneous gills in relation 

 with the first, second, third, and fourth branchial arches, 

 inclusive, the first three pairs being the homologues of the 

 cutaneous gills of the tailed Amphibia ; and also a cement- organ 



1 Hunt, P.Z.S. 1898, p. 41. 



- Lankester, Nature, 49, 1894, p. 555 ; id. Trans. Zool. Soc. xiv. Pt. i. 1896 ; 

 Graham Kerr, op. cit. p. 306. 



