642 BASHFORD DEAN, 



I. The larval habits of the Amia. 



After hatching the young fish reraains inactive for several days, 

 during both day and night, at all events under the living conditions 

 oöered in an aquariura. There is a marked tendency for the larva 

 to attach itself by its sucking disc, but rather curiously it does not 

 appear to become attached to the surrounding stems and leaves of 

 the water weeds ; it siuks to the bottom, and there, lying on its side, 

 rests attached to whatever niay have been touched. In case no solid 

 object comes in contact, the sucking disc functions nevertheless, 

 becoming covered with sediment. Under natural conditions, as 

 the writer has already noted , the larvae could not be found in the 

 nest during the first days after hatching, and it is perhaps not im- 

 possible, as Mr. Kosmak suggested, that they may have been removed 

 by the male fish, attached to him by their sucking disc. 



The larvae of the second, third and fourth day exhibit consider- 

 able advances; they depend less upon their sucking disc, and oc- 

 casionally exhibit a spasmodic activity; when touched, they wiggle 

 about rapidly for a short distance, and then sink raotionless, resting 

 on their side. As in the younger stage there is a tendency to swim 

 head downward. 



The larvae of the fifth, sixth and seventh day have become notably 

 active in their movements, are restless, and can with difficulty be kept 

 even for a few minutes in a Single spot When not swimming they 

 rest on their yolk sac in a normal position, but even then their 

 large pectoral fins are in constant movement, as if serving as 

 balancers. They dislike to be turned on their sides: they breathe 

 with quick movements, the mouth and gill Covers opening and shutt- 

 ing widely. 



The larvae of the second week begin to attain the characteristic 

 movements of the adult fish ; they balance themselves with inconspicu- 

 ous movements of the fins, pectorals and dorsals. Their firm move- 

 ments in swimming are now in contrast to the wiggling motions of 

 the younger stages. The caudal fin has become the main organ of 

 propulsion. It is at this period that the young fish have been seen 

 near the surface, attended by the male, in dense swarms often of 

 several thousand. As previously noted by the writer the habits of 

 the young fish under these conditions may be readily observed; the 

 attendant male may be closely approached, and his movements 

 followed ; in a slow and cautious way he circles about now over and 



