356 FISHES. 



dual was nearly four feet long. It is said to produce a sound 

 not unlike that of a cat, and to feed on the roots of mandioca 

 and other vegetables. But, to judge from the dentition, this 

 fish is much more likely to be carnivorous, like the following. 

 It is one of the greatest desiderata of Natural History Col- 

 lections, 



[Natterer, "Annalen des Wiener Museum's," 1839, ii. ; Bischoff. " Anuales 

 des Sciences Naturelles," 1840. xiv.] 



Protopterus. — Very similar in the general form of the body 

 and dentition to Lepidosiren. Pectoral and ventral filaments with 

 a fringe containing rays. Three small branchial appendages above 

 the small gill-opening ; six branchial arches, with five intervening- 

 clefts. Conus arteriosus with Uvo longitudinal valves. Ovaries 

 closed sacs. 



Protopterus cmncdens is the " Lepidosiren " which is com- 

 monly found in Zoological collections. It is usually imported 



J 



Fig. 138. — Protopterus annectens. ff, Branchial filaments ; r, vent. 



from the west coast of Africa, where it abounds in many 

 localities ; but it is spread over the whole of tropical Africa, 

 and forms in many districts of the central parts a regular 

 article of food. 



During the dry season, specimens living in shallow 

 waters which periodically dry up, form a cavity in the mud, 

 the inside of which they line with a protecting capsule of 

 mucus, and from which they emerge again when the rains 

 refill the pools inhabited by them. Wliilst they remain in 

 this torpid state of existence, the clay-balls containing them 

 are frequently dug out, and if the capsules are not broken, 

 the fishes imbedded in them can be transported to Europe, 



