6o PROCEEDINGS OF THE COTTESWOLD CLUB 



As to the hibernation of fishes, it is evident that we 

 cannot know anything about those which hve in salt water 

 and we may conclude, I think, that the hiliernation 

 question does not touch them. Fresh water fishes do no 

 doubt hibernate, by compulsion, not always as a certain 

 habit, but bv instinct through force of environment, e.g., 

 as in the instances of fish in shallow streams, which in 

 some years become altogether iced for weeks together, 

 and vet the fish are, I think, not destroyed. But as this 

 statement mav be questioneil, I would call your attention 

 to the case of a fish which inhabits the beds of rivers in 

 Africa, and which is called by zoologists Lepidosiren 

 annectens, or mud fish. Now it is known to all who 

 have a little knowledge of the smaller rivers in tro])ical 

 or sub-tropical latitudes, that at certain times of the 

 year the rivers are in full flush, at other times only a 

 trickling stream, or perhaps none at all — only shallow 

 pools here and there. What then becomes of the fish 

 which one day arc swimming in a full l)ath and a few days 

 after have not sufficient water even to shelter them 

 from the l)urning sun ? They hibernate, not owing to the 

 cold, but owing to the heat. The heat of the sun in 

 January or February bakes the cracked mud into so many 

 irregularly-formed bricks. When the fish I have mentioned, 

 by that instinct, which in similar instances is j)OSsessed by 

 many other kindred animals, feels that the hot and dry 

 season is coming, it wriggles its way into the mud. After 

 burrowing, if I may so say, a sufficient de|)th. it curls 

 itself round, and waits for the rain, and hibernates. 

 When the rain falls, the water soon reaches the cell of the 

 fish through the numerous fissures caused by the drought. 

 It then resumes its activity. The cell, or cocoon, in 

 which it hibernates is described as formed of clay, the 

 hollow being quite smooth. Three specimens found in 

 one lump of clay were immersed in water. At first the 

 creatures were very sluggish, but after an hour or tw'o 



