334 THE UNIVERSE. 



aquatic animal can live in air, and move about, in spite of 

 the dryness and heat. Like a locomotive in action, it car- 

 ries with it its supply of water, and has only to feed itself. 



155. Labyrinthine Cavity, or Water-Reservoir, of the Anabas. 



A singular fish, the anabas, or climbing perch (Perca 

 scandens], displays an organization exactly analogous to that 

 of the crab we have just spoken of. It fills with water a 

 labyrinthiform cavity, which is also situated above its bran- 

 chiae. Then, after having taken this precaution, the pru- 

 dent fish boldly issues from the waves, and leads the life of 



156. The Anabas, or Climbing Perch: Perca scandens. 



an inhabitant of air. It climbs the banks and rocks by 

 means of its spiny fins, taking care, during its vagabond 

 course, to moisten its respiratory apparatus little by little 

 with the liquid wherewith it filled the cells in its head. It 

 has even been said that the anabas has been seen climbing 

 a tree, making use of the cracks in the trunk, and drawings 

 have often been made representing this circumstance. 



