LUNG-FISHES. 229 



tent myself with a few remarks upon that one which more 

 directly concerns us ; I refer to the Australian Lung-Fish 

 (Neoceratodns forsteri). This fish is a native of the Mary 

 and Burnett Rivers in Queensland; to which it appears to 

 be at present restricted. That it was not always forced to 

 occupy such a small area, is evidenced by the fact that 

 teeth of the same species have been discovered in the 

 alluvial deposits on the Darling Downs in Queensland (these 

 deposits being of later Tertiary age). By many Queens- 

 landers this species is known as "Barramundi," a name 

 which applies with more propriety to Sclero pages (page 25). 

 Other names are "Flathead" and "Burnett Salmon" or 

 "Mary-River Salmon"; the last two on account of the 

 Salmon-like tint of the flesh. By many it is considered to 

 be a good edible fish. 



Fig. 83. AUSTRALIAN LUNG-FISH (Neoceratodus forsteri). 



The Australian Lung-Fish is an inactive, sluggish fish, 

 frequenting the bottom in muddy parts and among weeds. 

 It subsists largely upon crustaceans, worms, and mollusks 

 and to obtain them it is stated to cram its stomach with a 

 great quantity of the leaves of water-plants, when in a de- 

 composing condition ; in much the same manner as certain 

 of the "Sea-Cucumbers" (Holothnria), swallow great 

 quantities of sand, so as to obtain from amongst it what- 

 ever nourishment it may contain. Under natural conditions 

 it rises to the surface occasionally to fill its lung with fresh 

 air; being able to breathe also in the water itself unless 

 it be too foul by means of its well-developed gills. 



Though no doubt many people have been and are 

 familiar with this curious fish in its native haunts, not very 

 much of importance has been, written ; g^reat credit, there- 

 fore, must be given to Professor Semon, who, a few years 

 ago, visited Queensland and investigated to some extent its 



