ZOOLOGICAL
42
eyes are either wanting altogether or buried deeply beneath the skin and absolutely useless. These creatures are hence blind and worm-like, while they possess burrowing habits and exhibit great uniformity of structure and external appearance. They are pretty widely distributed in tropical regions,, possessing representatives in the Ethiopian, Oriental, and Neotropical regions. Seventeen genera have been described, seven of which (with^28 species) are confined to tropical America, five to tropical Africa, and three to the Oriental region.
CLASS PISCES (Fishes).
Sub-Class DIPNEUSTI (Dipnoi).
LEPIDOSIRENIDjE (Mud-Fishes). Plate 22, Map i.
Of these interesting fishes two genera are known. The typical one, Lepidosiren, contains a single species (L. paradoxa), which inhabits the׳ great Amazon 11 iver and its affluents, and also the swamps and marshes which form the tributaries of the Paraguay River. It is a curious eel-like creature, of sluggish habits, feeding principally on molluscs of the genus Ampullaria, but also devouring quantities of algae. The second genus, Protopterus, is purely African, and contains three species. They are particularly abundant in the Gambia River, and are remarkable for their habit of burrowing into the mud and remaining in a torpid condition during the rainless season, when the marshes become dried up.
CERATODONTID.A¡ (Lung-Fish). Plate 22, Map i.
The single known species representing this family is confined to the Rurnett and Mary Rivers in Queensland. It is known scientifically as Neoceratodus forsteri, while its native name is “ barramundi, and its popular English name the Australian Lung-Fish. It frequents pools which are comparatively stagnant in the rivers mentioned, is sluggish in its movements, and feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, and various other aquatic creatures, which it is reputed to obtain among the submerged plants which form their home.
OLDER TELEOSTEI (Bony Fishes).
MOLID^E (Sun-Fishes). Plate 22, Map i.
Of this family two genera may be recognised, and several species, of which the best-known is the Common Sun-fish (Mola mold). This fish, which attains a length of about eight feet, inhabits the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean, occasionally occurring also off the British coasts. Other species range over the greater part of the oceans in tropical and temperate zones.
DIODONTIDjE (Porcupine-Fishes). Plate 22, Map i.
These remarkable fishes, of which two genera and about 15 species are known, owe their popular name to their covering of spines, which in some forms are immovable, while in others they are erectile. They are found in most seas, but chiefly within the Tropics. A well-known American representative of the family is the Rabbit-fish (Chilomycterus schcepfi) of the Atlantic coast.
TETRODONTIDiE (Globe-Fishes). Plate 22, Map i.
Globe-fishes, of which about 60 species are known, are chiefly inhabitants of tropical and warm seas; but a few species occur in fresh water, notably in the large rivers of Brazil, West Africa and the East Indies. These fishes have the power of inflating their bodies with air, and on this account are sometimes called “Puffers.” Pennant’s Globe-Fish (Tetrodon lagocephalus) has occurred on the coasts of Britain, but it is always rare in European seas.
BALISTID-ffi (File-Fishes, &c.). Plate 22, Map ii.
The members of this family are chiefly inhabitants of tropical and subtropical seas. About 100 species have been described, two of which are recorded as British. These are (1) the so-called Pig-faced Trigger-Fish (.Balistes carolinensis), which has occurred on our coasts on several occasions ; and (2) the “Ocean Turbot” (Canthidermis maculatus), a very rare species, whose claim to be regarded as British is a matter of some doubt. Certain members of the family are reported to be very destructive to pearl-fisheries.
LOPHIIDA¡ (Angler-Fish, &c.). Plate 22, Map ii.
This is a small family (containing about a dozen species) of curious-looking fishes with sluggish habits, inhabiting the sea-floor in all parts of the world ; while some forms attach themselves to floating sea-weed, and are thus carried about in various directions. They owe their popular name to the curious appendage on the snout, which often assumes a curious appearance and acts as a lure for catching prey. The Common Angler or “ Sea-Devil” (Lophius piscatorius), is found commonly all round the British coasts. Allied to the Lophiidie are a number of interesting deep-sea forms, which are usually placed in distinct families. If such a course be followed, then the whole of these related families may be considered as a sub-order, under the name of Pediculati.
ORDER CAUDATA (152 Species).
SIRENIDIE (Mud-Eels; 2 Species). Plate 21, Map v.
This family includes only the curious degraded creatures known as Siren lacertina and Pseudobranchus striatus, the former of which occurs in the South-eastern United States, while the latter is confined to Georgia. In these interesting Amphibians, which are found burrowing in the mud of ponds and ditches, the body is Eel-like (hence the popular name), bearing three pairs of external gills which persist during the whole life of the animal. The fore limbs are present, with four fingers in Siren and three in Pseudobranchus ; the hind limbs are altogether wanting.
PROTEIDiE (Proteus or Gilled Salamander, &c.; 3 Species).
Plate 21, Map v.
The Proteidse, like the Sirenidx, possess three pairs of persistent external gills, but have in addition a pair of hind limbs. Three genera have been described, each with a single species. Proteus anguinus is a curious, totally blind, eel-like creature living in the subterranean waters of caverns in the Alps of Carniola, Carinthia and Dalmatia. The fore limbs have three digits and the hind limbs only two. The American representative (Necturus maculatus) has four digits on both fore and hind limbs, while also possessing well-developed eyes and powers of vision. Typhlomolge is the third genus, with one species inhabiting Texas.
SALAMANDRIDA! (Typical Salamanders; 32 Species).
Plate 21, Map v.
The Salamanders and Newts, of which six genera are described, are practically confined to the Palsearctic and Nearctic regions, although one or two species range southwards in China to within the Oriental region. Only two species, belonging to the genus Triton, are found in the New World, but these have a fairly extensive range. One of the best-known species in the family is the Spotted Salamander (Salamandra maculosa) of Central and Southern Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. Being of a black colour, spotted with bright yellow, it is often regarded as one of the best-known examples of the so-called “warning” coloration, where a species enjoys protection through possessing some nauseous or poisonous quality, while its conspicuous markings serve to educate its enemies to the fact. Three species of Newt (Triton) are found in Britain.
AMBLYSTOMATIDiE (Axolotls, &c.; 41 Species).
Plate 21, Map v.
Although there is no general English name which can be accurately applied to these Amphibians, yet, as the larval forms of the typical genus have long been known as Axolotls, this word may be perhaps used for the members of the family as a whole. Ten genera have been differentiated, six of which are Asiatic and four North American. Amblystoma, the principal genus, includes 25 North American species and one which occurs, probably at high elevations, in Siam. The young or larvae of this genus have been known since the time when the Spanish conquered Mexico, and until the year 1865 they were thought to be adult creatures allied to Sirenidx or Proteidx. It has, however, been proved by experiment that Axolotls may, under certain conditions, develop into mature Amblystomas.
PLETHODONTIDAI (Spelerpes, &c.; 61 Species).
Plate 21, Map vi.
This family, containing only five genera, has an interesting distribution. The great majority (no fewer than 54) of the species, including representatives of every genus, are North and Central American. Five occur in South America, one is confined to the island of San Domingo in the West Indies, while, strangely enough, one is found in Europe. This is Spelerpes fuscus, a native of the mountains of Southern France, Northern Italy, and Sardinia.
DESMOGNATHIDA3 (Desmognathus, &c.; 8 Species).
Plate 21, Map vi.
This family contains five genera, three of which (with six species) are confined to the Eastern United States, one (Thorius) to Southern Mexico, and one (Haptoglossa) to Costa Rica.
AMPHIUMIDiE (Fish-like Salamanders; 5 Species).
Plate 21, Map vi.
This family, which includes three genera, is extremely limited in distribution, four of the species being found only in the Eastern United States, while the fifth is confined to China and Japan. The latter is, however, of much interest, as it is much the largest species of living Amphibian. It is known as the Giant Salamander (Megalobatrachus maximus), and the largest specimen known is over five feet in length ! This Amphibian giant inhabits clear, cold, and swiftly-flowing streams in the mountainous parts of Japan and a portion of China. It has four front and five hind toes and is without an external gill-opening.
ORDER APODA (53 Species).
CCECILIIDA! (Ccecilia, &c.; 53 Species). Plate 21, Map vi.
The members of this group are so distinct in their characters that they are usually placed in an Order to themselves, under the name of Apoda. This name bears allusion to the total absence of limbs, which is one of their most evident characters. The tail also is rudimentary or absent, and the