Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-08-26
From the N. z. Evening Post ]
An IchthyOIogicaI Curiosity.

Mr. Barnum to-day exhibited another novelty at
the American Museum-a fish which had laid it
self away for season to repose till the arrival OF
favorable opportunity for resuscitation. L '..:4
The Snowman in his wisdom fixed the hour of
noon for the event. and crowd of spectators liter
airy men, women, reporters aud others, were pres
ent to-witness the phenomenon, s...
It had been reported that Professor Agassiz would
ofcste at the revival of the fish, to remove the ce-
ements and earthern case, but instead Mr.. Barnum
took the stand himself to explain and superintend
the operation. %, -.--.-.., ....-, .
He held in his hand lump Of dried earth about
FIVE OF six inches in diameter, which he informed
the assembly contained living tenant. On one
side of the lump was a hole, which he explained to
be an aperture for the purposes, Of respiration.
The fish belonged to the-species termed by natur-
alists the Lepid0sifen Gnecians, and was obtained
from the Gambia river in Western Africa, some
three hundred miles from the ocean. The first dis
covery of this family in ichthyology was made IN
1887, on the bank Of the Amazon, in South Amer
lea The.species then discovered was named Lepi
dosiren parGdOrG-the African type being later
acquisition to science.
1t is the practice of these fishes to surround them
selves with a shroud of leaves and coffin Of mud,
there foreman. " high and dry =" for months, or
perhaps years. till the recurrence of rainy season
shall dissolve away the earth and restore them to
home in their "native element"
The negroes of Afpca, aware Of this habit of the
LepldoSiren, are wont to dig them from their NJ
ding places aud use them for food. % ...s-...
Mr.. Barnum having concluded his explanation,
invited several gentlemen to the stage to inspect the
fish as it lay imbedded. A careful scrutiny showed
movement, apparently for respiration An assis
tant then brought saw, and carefully cut through
the earthly coffin on all sides. He then priced it
open, exposing the fish to view.
1t lay apparently torpid on one Of the pieces,
doubled up head and tail together and swathed in
fold of leaves which attached to its body by
tenacious slime
Mr.. Barnum caused it to be passed around among
the audience for inspection. 1t was then returned
and lifted carefully off the fragment of earth; the
leafy shrou9 was taken off and the fish placed care
fully in tank of water.
After few moments it exhibited signs of ANNA
ton It's tentacles vibrated the body Strengthened
out and it began to move. It required many
minutes before it B." was fully restored the posses
SION of its faculties" and certain injuries which it
had sustained about the tail greatly INSTRUCTED free
motion.
Mr.. Barnum receivedseveral of these curious fish
es from London, and had caused most of them to be
opened in private, before venturing on public en-
tertainment
The success of his experiment was such as to
warrant this exhibition any one can perceive by
visiting the aqaria, in which several resuscitated
LepidOsirens are living
/ He now cJntemplates the importation Of more
specimens after which the public may expect to see
tine exhibition re peated.