468 



PARENTAL CARE AMONG FRESH-WATEK FISHES. 



lislied for species with a compressed head upraised into a narrowed 

 ridge and with the snpraoccipital phite continued backward into a 

 narrow process and connected behind with the antedorsal phite. 



The amorous dalliances of the sexes of the Corydoras were observed 

 by Carbonnier and described by him in 1880 in a very entertaining 



Conjdorus niarmoratus. After Steindachner. 



style. Wlien the reproductive season arrives males and females 

 give striking evidence of it. The males assemble in groups of three 

 to five and, to use the expression of Carbonnier, disport themselves 

 in quite a feverish manner ("maniere toute febrile") and apparently 

 practice a kind of mutual excitation. All this time the female 

 swims slowly and gracefully near the group and in a lively manner 



Showing connection of occipital 

 plate with predorsal buckler. 



Figs. 43, 44. — Corydoras marmoratus. 



Showing skin-eovered breast. 



After Steindachner ("70). 



agitates her barbels and lips and courts the attentions of the males. 

 Excited at length by their own actions as well as those of the female, 

 the males dart toward her, some pressing against her sides and wildly 

 disporting themselves there, and others on her back. At length one 

 of the males may stride across the female's head and seize her barbels 



