854 



DR. E. A, GOELDI OS THE 



[Nov. 29, 



photograph (fig. 1) representing its aspect in the beginning of 

 September 1896, the period of relative low water. The photograph 

 shows a typical " pirisal " (papyrus-meadow), cut transversely by 

 a canal about 2 metres wide and generally some 6 feet deep. 

 In the background, at some distance, several persons are seen 

 waiting for a canoe. On the left hand, near the middle of the 

 scene, a small pool is seen between the roots of some smaller 

 " piri '"' bushes. From this pool came the first Lepidosiren ; the 

 other two specimens were also obtained nearly at the same spot. 



Fi?. 1. 



PirisAl at Dunas, Marajo, in September 189(». 



Our Uving specimen of Lepidosiren from Obydos, \\hich lias 

 survived now more than a year in captivity, and has somewhat 

 changed its habits, as it now accepts food regularly (mandioca- 

 roots), and turns aggressively against the fingers placed on the 

 glass walls of its aquarium, developed durmg my 8 months' absence 

 in Southern Brazil a very curious character. The free end of its 

 fore-limbs now shows slender ramifications, somewhat like deer- 



