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Show S Mil. SCLATER ON RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS. [Jail. 3, soit 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 once 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, Lynmcca, 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 occasionally 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. " M y brother John has gone up to our sugar-plantations on tbe 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 |
