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The Descent of Man

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ny <strong>of</strong> the Chromidae, for instance in Geophagus<br />

and especially in Cichla, the males, as I<br />

hear from Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Agassiz (21. See also 'A<br />

Journey in Brazil,' by Pr<strong>of</strong>. and Mrs. Agassiz,<br />

1868, p. 220.), have a conspicuous protuberance<br />

on the forehead, which is wholly wanting in the<br />

females and in the young males. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Agassiz adds, "I have <strong>of</strong>ten observed these fishes<br />

at the time <strong>of</strong> spawning when the protuberance<br />

is largest, and at other seasons when it is<br />

totally wanting, and the two sexes shew no<br />

difference whatever in the outline <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />

<strong>of</strong> the head. I never could ascertain that it subserves<br />

any special function, and the Indians on<br />

the Amazon know nothing about its use." <strong>The</strong>se<br />

protuberances resemble, in their periodical appearance,<br />

the fleshy carbuncles on the heads <strong>of</strong><br />

certain birds; but whether they serve as ornaments<br />

must remain at present doubtful.<br />

I hear from Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Agassiz and Dr. Gunther,<br />

that the males <strong>of</strong> those fishes, which differ per-

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