2 3 o FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



early life-history and habits. The egg is a fairly-large one, 

 measuring more than half an inch in length. The early 

 developmental stages show a general resemblance to those 

 of some of the Amphibians (Frogs, Newts, etc.). 



This species is possessed of very large body-scales, 

 some of these often measuring more than 4 inches across. 



It grows to a length of several feet. 



The discovery of the Australian Lung-Fish in 1870 

 created the highest interest in the Old World, mainly be- 

 cause of the general similarity of its teeth to some very 

 singular ones which were found in a fossil state in certain 

 geological formations of Europe, India and America. "These 

 teeth, of which there is a great variety with regard to 

 general shape and size, are sometimes two inches long, much 

 longer than broad, depressed, with a flat or slightly undu- 

 lated, always punctated crown, with one margin convex, 

 and with from three to seven prongs projecting on the 

 opposite margin." (Gunther.) 



