58 



removed, being the animal which formed the subject of Prof. Owen's 

 communication to the Linnean Society in 1839. It was first discovered 

 by Capt. Glasse, C.B., of H. M.S. ' Holla,' in 1836; some specimens 

 were subsequently obtained by his friend, Thomas C. B. Weir, Esq., by 

 whom they were forwarded to Prof. Owen in 1837, who first proposed 

 the name of Lepidosiren annectens, as in certain points the animal was 

 supposed to resemble a reptile discovered in the Amazon by Dr. Natterer. 

 On subsequent examination, however, the generic resemblances were 

 found less characteristic, and the term Protopterus was finally given, with 

 an account of its anatomy, in the paper above mentioned. 



389. The Mud-fish (Protopterus annectens, Owen). 



This specimen was found in some rice-fields in Macarthy's Island on the 

 Gambia ; these fields are flooded for about three months in the year, 

 and the Protopteri swim about actively ; when they find that the water 

 is leaving them, they retreat into the mud and coil themselves up. 

 The heat of the climate is such, that the mucus given off from their 

 bodies is baked into a firm brown skin, like that of a cocoon, forming a 

 case in which they reside until the returning waters enable them again 

 to resume an active state of existence. This specimen was brought to 

 England by Dr. Daniell, Staff-Surgeon, and although it had been for two 

 seasons out of water, it nevertheless showed symptoms of animation when 

 the case was opened. Presented by Dr. W. F. Daniell, F.R.C.S.E. 



Order II. MEANTIA, Gray. 



Body elongate, naked, smooth. Legs two or four, rudimentary, weak, with short 

 weak toes. Gills external, well developed, permanently developed during 

 the whole life of the animal. Nostrils not enclosed in a bony case ; the 

 inner ones opening between the lips and the palatine bones. Eyes small, 

 without eyelids. Maxillae rudimentary, or wanting. Intermaxillse toothed. 

 Palate and lower jaw toothed. 



Family 1. Sirenidas. 



390. The Siren or Mud-Eel (Siren lacertina, Linn.). 



Fig. Ellis, Phil. Trans, vol. Ivi. p. 189. Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. Hi. pt. 2. 

 p. 601. 



