A .Living Fossil.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1435, 27 October 1896, Page 3

A .Living Fossil.

Professor Denny recently gave a demonstration to bis students at Firth College, Sheffield, England, of a very unusual and interesting nature (says the Westminster Gazette). Amongst the most ancient of animals still inhabiting our planet is the so-called mud fish (Protoptarus) of Africa—u creature worthy of our respect, if only in consideration of its vast antiquity, which dates far back in the early ages of the world. Of popular interest, the most striking feature of the mud fish is the possession of lungs as well as gills. On the approach of the dry season, in its natural haunts in Central Africa, the rnud fish hollows out a chamber in mud, and enters upon a period of rest extending over many months, during which time it is without access to water, and breathes air only. While in the mud these fishes may bo dug up, and survive even after a journey across the world in the dry state. Professor Denny received a short time ago one of these mud blocks. In the presence of the students the hard block was placed in warm water, and after being thus exposed for nearly two hours the fish, which went to sleep in tropical Africa many months ago, awoke and came forth from its temporary sepulchre to find itself in a bath of tap water in the biological laboratory of Firth College, where it is now alive, and doubtless happy.