prot opter Is

[Pref. proto-, and Gr. pteris a fern.] Palæobot .: A genus of Tree-ferns, with one species, from the coal-measures of White haven. prō-top-ter-ŭs, s. [Pref. proto-, and Gr. pteryx =a fin.] Ichthy.: African Mud-fish; a genus of Sirenide, with a single species, Prot opter us annectens , from tropical Africa. Very similar to Lepidosiren (q. v.). In the dry season these fish imbed themselves in mud, from which they emerge when the rains fill the pools. In this state the clay balls containing the fish are often dug out, and the imbedded fishes can be transported to Europe and released by being immersed in slightly tepid water. They are carnivorous, and attain a length of six feet. ( Owen in Trans . Linn. Soc., 1848, xviii.)