324 



7M0L0GY 



The spoonbill, which has an elon- 

 gated, flattened snout and is abnost 

 without scales, is a large fish found 

 in the Mississippi River. It is also 

 called " paddle-fish " or " duck-bill 

 catfish." It becomes two metres 

 long, and seeks small animals in the 

 mud, which it stirs up with its snout. 



The garpikes are known b}' their 

 long snout (Fig. 306). Thej' are 

 completely clad in an enamel coat 

 of mail. They are of .sluggish 

 habits, but voracious, and their 

 flesh is valueless as food. One 

 species is found in China, the others 

 in the rivers of North America. 



The bowfin (Amia ^) occurs in the 

 rivers and lakes of the United 

 States. It has a short body, a blmrt 

 head, and a long dorsal fin (Fig. 

 307). It is the sole survivor of a 

 formerly large family. 



The Dipnoi ' include only three 

 rare foreign forms, which seem to 

 form a transition between fishes and 

 the higher groups, for some of them 

 have lungs in addition to gills. 

 From some such lunged fishes must 

 the amphibia have arisen (Fig. 308). 



^ Ancient name of a fish. 

 ^ (lis, twice ; pnoc, breath. 



