Dr. J. E. Gray on Lepidosiren. ^ 417 



Western Africa a case containing four specimens of this animal ; each 

 specimen was imbedded in a block of cl/y hard muddy clay^ about 

 the size of a quartern loaf ; these blocks of clay were each sewed up 

 in a piece of canvas to prevent the clay crumbling or falling to pieces. 

 According to the instructions I received from Capt. Chamberlayne 

 (the gentleman who sent them), I placed them in a tank of fresh 

 water at the temperature of 83 degrees ; in doing this a portion of the 

 clay crumbled off one of them and partly exposed the case in which 

 the animal was contained ; I was watching the operation when sud- 

 denly the case or cocoon rose to the surface of the water. I at first 

 thought the animal contained in it must be. dead, but I shortly after- 

 wards observed a slight motion : apparently the animal was endea- 

 vouring to extricate itself, and this it soon afterwards accomplished 

 by breaking through the side of its tough covering ; it swam about 

 immediately, and by diving into the mud and clay, which by this 

 time had become softened, rendered it difficult to make further ob- 

 servations ; I removed the case or cocoon, which still floated, and 

 which I now send for your examination. On the following morning J 

 found that two more of the animals had made their appearance ; their 

 cases however were not to be seen — they evidently remained imbedded 

 in the soft clay. In the course of the next day the fourth animal 

 suddenly floated to the surface enveloped in its case ; as it showed no 

 signs of life I removed it, and found the animal had been dead some 

 time, as it was much decomposed. At the time these animals first 

 made their appearance they were very thin, and about 9 inches long ; 

 they began to feed immediately upon earth-worms^ small frogs, fish, 

 &c., occasionally taking raw flesh. I saw them sometimes attack 

 each other, and one of them (I imagine in endeavouring to escape) 

 leaped out of the tank into the large basin in the Crystal Palace in 

 which the tank was standing (this specimen is still at large among 

 the water-lilies, &c.). The remaining two lived together for some 

 time, apparently on good terms ; but in the month of August the one 

 now remaining in the tank seized its companion and devoured nearly 

 half of it, leaving only the head and about half the length of its 

 body. In feeding, this creature masticates the food much, frequently 

 putting it forward almost quite out of its mouth and then gradually 

 chewing it back again, and often (when fed upon raw flesh), after 

 liaving so chewed it for some time, it will throw it out altogether. 

 The growth of these animals is most extraordinary ; in June, as X 

 have before stated, they were about 9 inches long ; in three months 

 they attained their present size, which cannot be less than 18 inches 

 in length. It rises frequently perpendicularly to the surface to 

 breathe, and at other times it supports itself on its fin-like append* 

 ages, and with the aid of its tail raises its body from the ground, 

 the fins being bent or curved backwards. The movement of this 

 animal is generally very slow, and would give one an idea that it was 

 very sluggish ; this however I have good reason to know is not the 

 case, as in attempting to capture the one at liberty in the large basin 

 it darted away with the rapidity of an arrow. I have reason also to 

 believe the animal finds its food as much by scent as sight. With 

 Ann. ^ Mag, N. Hist, Ser. 3. Fb/. xix. 27 



