8APS0LEGNIA FJSSAX. 247 



the last stages six or more will lie side by side together 

 close in under the bank, little heeding the passer by. 



In such predicament a fish will remain motionless for 

 half an hour at a time, when some sudden impulse 

 causes him to dash about as if scorched with a red-hot 

 iron. 



The fungus first attacks the parts of the fish which 

 are unprotected by scales, such as the top of the snout, 

 back of the head, adipose fin, and tail ; thence it gradu- 

 ally extends until the entire body may be covered, 

 causing it to appear as if clothed in white cotton- wool. 

 Abrasions of the skin caused by accident are nearly 

 always assailed by the fungus. 



The head is frequently attacked so severely that the 

 flesh is eaten away from the outside down to the teeth, 

 while the body is intact ; again, the growth may enter 

 the gills, when death quickly results. The disease 

 probably takes six weeks or more to entirely clothe a 

 fish ; but should it approach the gills, much less time 

 will suffice to destroy him, so, should there be a lengthy 

 interval between floods, many die. 



A flood makes a clean sweep of diseased fish, for 

 the simple reason that they have not strength to 

 contend against its volume, so, fortunately, get carried 

 down to the salt water, which effects their cure ; but 

 the indentations left by the fungus are apparent if 

 the fish be captured upon re-ascending the river, for 

 although the scale-covered parts are without blemish, 

 the parts of the head upon which the fungus previously 



