8 MR. SCLATER ON RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS. [Jan. 3, 



sort of hybernation, and require to be stirred up preparatory to setting 

 lines for them. In September they begin to be a trifle more lively ; 

 and, from accounts I have lately received from the Mary River, it 

 seems they have all at onee become very plentiful in the very water- 

 holes where we had lines set for weeks before in August without 

 getting a ' bite.' In fact they would not bite at all at that time, 

 and the specimen I sent you was obtained in the Mary River, or 

 rather in one of its upper branches. Now, however, they are 

 caught almost daily. Their food consists of Mollusca (such as small 

 specimens of Cyclas, Anodon, Lymncea, and Physa), together with 

 various water-weeds and grasses. It is highly probable that the 

 natives' story of their coming out at night ' to graze ' is quite correct, 

 as I found in their intestines and stomachs land grasses which could 

 only have been obtained by their coming at least partially out of the 

 water. I am inclined to think that (like Eels) they may occasion- 

 ally come out into the very shallow parts and edges of the water- 

 holes, and even out on to the margins of the pools among the weeds 

 and long grasses which hang over into the water. 



"The stomach is curiously divided into compartments, each filled 

 with food — grass, weeds, shells, &c. I am not sufficiently acquainted 

 with the internal arrangements of animals to make any remarks upon 

 this part of the subject ; but I feel convinced that a close examination 

 of the heart and lungs will prove that the Ceratodus is much 

 more akin to the Batrachians than most of us are aware of. 



" My brother John has gone up to our sugar-plantations on the 

 Mary, and as the Ceratodus is obtainable within ten miles of our 

 residence, I hope very soon to have living specimens down ; it is his 

 intention to keep them alive in a large tank, both males and females, 

 and to watch their habits. 



"Mr. S. B. Davis of Rockampton has been making great exertions 

 to obtain me specimens from the Fitzroy, and has made several trips 

 also to the Dawson ; but unfortunately the distressing floods they 

 have had there have prevented him obtaining any. The only fishes 

 obtained were a few of the true Barramundi (Osteoglossum leich- 

 ardti), which will be forwarded to me in due time. He informs 

 me that the Ceratodus is plentiful in the water-holes, creeks, and 

 lagoons in the western waters. 



" I will forward you other specimens as soon as possible from 

 various districts for comparison, and shall be glad to hear what your 

 great ichthyologists think of them." 



Mr. Sclater exhibited a horn of the male Indian Rhinoceros 

 (Rhinoceros unicornis) living in the Society's Menagerie, which 

 had been torn off by the animal on the 10th of August last — and 

 made the following observations : — 



" Our male and female Indian Rhinoceroses having been placed in 

 the adjoining yards, in front of the new Elephant-house, on the 10th 

 of August last the male made frequent attempts to raise the lower 

 transverse bar of the strong iron railing that separates the two 



