oss 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.’ 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 2-5 inches in 
length? (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 eges in the Fic. 310.—Pelvic limb of the male 
nest without being forced to resort Lepidosiren during the breeding 
eer nc eipebrcaihe air The © “eee: “from Galan Kom) 
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. 
2 Lankester, Nature, 49, 1894, p. 555 ; id. Trans. Zool. Soc. xiv. Pt. 1. 1896 ; 
Graham Kerr, op. cit. p. 306. 
