/•*./• 4. It'. S^villi-KiTtt, f.Z.S.\ 



AUSTRALIAN LUNG-FISH 



Thii fish is also knoiun Ui ihe Burnett Ri'ver Salmon 



[yitiJu'i-on-SeJ 



BOOK IF. FISHES 



CHAPTER I 



LUXG-FISHES JXD CHIMERJS 



BV \V. P. PVCXAFT, A.L.S., F.Z.S. 



THOUGH amongst the lowest of the backboned animals, tlie Fishes are nevertheless 

 an exceedingl)- interesting group, distinguished from all others b}- the possession of 

 fins, which are divisible into two series, — an unpaired, ranged along the middle 

 of the back and abdomen, and including the tail-fin; and a paired series, representing the 

 fore and hind limbs of land animals. The body is either clothed with scales or naked, 

 and, being perfectlv sustained by the water, needs no support from the fins, which serve as 

 balancing-organs. 



In the brilliancy and beaut\- of their coloration fishes display a \'ariet_\' that cannot be 

 excelled by any other animals. Furthermore, the coloration is often rendered still more 

 beautiful from the fact that it can undergo rapid changes of hue. Frequenth' this coloration 

 is of a protective character, causing the fish to harmonise with its surroundings, and so escape 

 the observation of its enemies. The colours of li\'ing fishes can only, for the most part, be 

 indicated in the present pages when a pattern exists by the formation of stripes or spots; 

 bat the wonderful variations in the form of the bod\- will probabl}- prove a revelation to many. 



LUXG-FISHES 



The LuXG-FISHES are a peculiarly important group, inasmuch as they form a connecting- 

 link between the class Fishes and the land-dwelling Amphibians — the class containing the 

 Frogs and Toads and their allies. They are accorded this position mainly because, like 

 Amphibians, they possess true lungs, which almost entirely replace the gills, the breathing- 

 organs of other fishes. 



One of the best known of the lung-fishes is the AusTR.\Ll.\X B.vrra.MUXUI, or LUXG-FISH OF 

 QUEENSLAXD — the BuRXETT or D.WVSOX Salmox of the settlers. It lives among the weeds at 

 the bottom of muddy rivers, rising frequentl}' to the surface to take in atmospheric air by the 

 lungs, the gills alone being insufficient for breathing purposes. The flesh, which is salmon- 

 coloured, is much esteemed as food. The adult fish is said to attain to a weight of 20 lbs. 

 and a length of 6 feet. 



Other lung-fishes, eel-like in form, occur in the rivers of Africa and South America, The 



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