298 



SYSTEMATIC ZOOLOGY 



The three genera are widely separated geographically. One, 

 Ceratodus (Fig. 305), is found in the rivers of Australia; the 

 lung is single. It attains a length of two meters, and its pink 



flesh is considered an excellent food by 

 the natives. A second genus, Lepidosiren 

 (Fig. 306), is found in Brazil and Paraguay. 

 It may grow to a length of about a meter 

 and a third ; it is provided with a pair of 

 lungs. The third genus, Protopterus ( Fig. 

 307), is quite abundant in the rivers of 

 tropical Africa. It is carnivorous, may 



fir 1 



-k»- 



FlG. 305. Ceratodus forsteri, 

 much reduced. (After Giin- 

 ther, from Parker and Has- 

 well's Manual.) 



FIG. 306. Lepidosiren paradoxa, 



the Iungfish of South America; 

 male, with fringed pelvic fins of the 

 breeding season. ( From Shipley 

 and MacBride's ZobloE 



Fig. 307. . 



annectens, the lung- 

 fish of Africa. 

 Glaus and Sedgwick.) 



