124 



THE CHAIN OF LIFE. 



" Mud-fishes " of the rivers of tropical Africa and America (Fig. 

 1 08, b.) These creatures have an elongated and elegant form, 



Vk,. It.!?.— I )evoniaa LepiJogxnoirl V.'A\\Gs,{Di/>liicanthus viaA Osteoie/is).—A{ttT i'a.gt: 



and Nicholson. 



and the body is covered with overlapping horny scales like those 

 of ordinary fishes ; but the pectoral and ventral fins are rod-like, 



Fig. 108.— Modern Dipnoi, 

 rt, Ccratoaus Fostcrt. Australia, h, Lepidosiren annectns. Africa. 



and are supported by simple cartilaginous rays, while the tail- 

 fin forms a fringe around the posterior part of the body. 



