160 
Aquattc Lite 
between two leaves where they cross each 
other, the two being glued together. Oc- 
casionally a detached portion of a leaf 
is used, and fixed against the wall of the 
tank, always, however, at the surface of 
the water. If removed from the plant an 
egg sinks, but the primary object of the 
attachment appears to be protection, for 
I have intentionally detached some eggs 
and they have developed equally well on 
the bottom. 
The larve have grown rapidly since 
they were hatched, ten days ago, but 1f 
their subsequent development is as slow 
as that of Molge cristata, as recorded by 
Higginbottom, it will be fully three years 
before they are mature, even if I am suc- 
cessful in rearing them.—F rom the Pro- 
ceedings of the Linnean Society of New 
South Wales. 
(The Red-bellied Newt, which Ameri- 
can students prefer to place in the genus 
Diemyctylus, is often obtainable in the 
pet shops, selling for about twenty-five 
cents. It is quite a beautiful species, 
easily maintained in the aquarium, as it 
does not leave the water. Small tadpoles 
and worms are favored foods. Major 
Shufeldt’s photograph illustrates the 
variations in the distribution of the bril- 
liant orange-vermillion markings of the 
under side; above it is blackish-brown to 
black.—Editor.) 
a 
Nandus Marmoratus 
WALTER L. BRIND, F. Z. S. 
A glance at the illustration will give a 
good general idea of the appearance of 
Nandus marmoratus. 
quite handsome. ‘The ground color is 
greenish brown, with brassy reflections, 
vertically marbled with three broad, 
patchy bands of dark brown, while a 
fourth crosses the caudal, though this 
may be present in the form of a blotch; 
In coloration it is 
narrow bands radiate from the eye, which 
is golden-green with narrow golden iris. 
Bands of dots cross the soft portions of 
the dorsal, anal and caudal fins. The 
mouth is capacious, as befits a bass, and 
is a sure indication that the possessor 1s 
a voracious fish, seizing its prey—small 
fishes—suddenly, and gulping them down 
like pills. 
inches. 
The sexes are hard to distinguish, ex- 
cept during breeding season, when the 
female becomes distended and deeper in 
the abdomen. At other times, to the prac- 
The maximum length is seven 
Nandus marmoratus 
ticed eye, the females are more “curves,” 
while the males are more angles. 
In general habits the fish is not active, 
at least in so far as continuous motion 
implies activity. It spends much of the 
time concealed among the plants, from 
which, pickerel-like, it rushes forth to 
seize a passing minnow. It is a good pet 
for the aquarist who can supply unlim- 
ited Daphne and worms, though in a 
pinch it will eat raw beefsteak if cut into 
narrow strips and temptingly dangled be- 
fore it to simulate a luscious worm. 
Nandus has not been bred in confine- 
ment, though eggs have been deposited, 
but not fertilized. 
This species is found in the fresh and 
brackish waters of India and Burma, 
where it is common in ponds and ditches 
and inundated fields. It is exceedingly 
tenacious of life if the proper tempera- 
ture 1s maintained—not less than about 
75 degrees. 
