The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-08-23

SlOItS III llS a IrorIfc VI
fat. and then when the dry season
arrives and the rivers dry up it con-
structs a deep tubular burrow in
which IL doubles up with head and
tail together. The mouth OF the bur-
row is closed with a most ingenious
ly constructed mud flap through
| which are several small perforations.
which PERMIT the animal TO breathe
air directly, as IL is also one Of the
| few species gifted with both lungs
and gills. While inclosed in its nest
the fish Is frequently dug out by the
natives, who highly prize its flesh.
In the period of incubation it lives
| during the rainy season. When the
| early rains soften the soil the fish
emerges from its burrow and resumes
it's aquatic existence. This is a very
rare species, but few specimens hav-
ing ever come into the possession OF
scientists.
Male Guards Eggs.
''In Lakes Huron and Erie, and in
some OF the interior lakes OF Nev
York, Is found the bowfin. At the
beginning Of the breeding season the
fish makes its way from the deeper
water. where II has remained slug
gish during the winter, to the spawn
ing ground, which Is usually at the
| swampy end of lake where there is
an abundance of aquatic herbage in
tersected by channels of clear water.
Here the fish circles round and
round until the soft weeds and root
lets are bent and crushed aside so as
the eggs are deposited, adhering to
the nest in enormous numbers. The
male remains on guard until the eggs
are hatched out, when the young ap-
pear to leave the nest in body, still
under the watchful care of the father,
who keeps the swarm together by
circling round and round it.
One Ingenious Nest.
"The gourami, or paradise fish.
builds a very ingenious nest A
muddy bottom Is generally selected
for this purpose. The fish prefers to
grass, which grows on the surface Of
the water and whose floating roots.
rising and falling with the move
ment OF the water, form natural gall
leries, under which the fish can con-
ceal themselves. The nest is con-
structed by entangling the stems and
leaves, intermingled with blades OF
grass, and is Of nearly spherical
form much resembling in shape those
Of some birds, and when completed
is attached among the plants in one
corner Of the pond. After the eggs
have been deposited in the nest both
parents carefully guard it for a
month, when the young are hatched
out. and then continue their loving
care until the young are large enough
to shift for themselves.
The wrasses of the Atlantic ocean
also build nests during the breeding
season. These are generally built
in crevices OF rocks. The nest is
usually in the shape of a crescent
and is six or seven inches wide at it's
widest part, and twelve inches high.
and is made generally of tufts of
coraline, seaweed. zoophytes, broken
shells, etc, fixed together at their
bases by a semi-solid mucus. 1t is
the work Of both the male and the
female. There is a small opening
leading into the centre of the nest.
A very remarkable thing about these
nests is that they are generally butt
at half tide mark, which leaves them
exposed to the air at least twelve
hours each day-six hours at a tide
The fish have been seen jumping out
of the water in order to reach the
nests when the tide is rising, but had
not yet reached the nest. 1t was in
this family of fishes that sleep Wa
first observed in fishes, that fish when
in an aquarium seeking a sleeping
place at night and lying down on one
side
Coolies which are found in almost
all quarters of the globe, sometimes
build nests. The nest is usually made
of some mollusk shell or Of the cara
pace of crab, with the convex side
sand. The sand underneath the she'll
is followed out and round opening
at the side, coated by mucus Sc
creted by the skin OF the male fish,
gives access TO the interior. The
eggs, when ready, are stuck to the
inner surface of the shell forming
the roof.
Certain catfshes construct nests
about eight inches by six inches. This
nest which is always located in a
spot where the water is quiet and
there are plenty of aquatic plants,
has a soft water envelope, and after
the female has deposited her eggs in
IL the male hovers over 1t, forcing
fresh water through the mass by
rapid vibrations OF his fins until after
| about a week they are hatched. The
parents jealousy guard the eggs
from all enemies.
Many OF the nests are nothing but
shallow holes scooped out OF the
sandy hottom by the fins and snouts