O-N THE PROTEUS ANGUINUS. 9 J 



month, but Immediately threw it out to the distance of two 

 inches. Afterward he chose rather to leave them to breed, 

 than to taste them. 



NotwitJjstaJidiug' this obstinacy in refusing all kind of Lives fi long 

 food, these animals live a long time in pure water, if they ''^^^^^^ "^ ^^^^ 

 be kept in the shade in wooden tubs 15 or 18 inches high, 

 and as mucli in diameter; and if the temperature of the 

 water, which ought to be changed every four or five days, 

 do-not exceed S® of Reaumur [50° F.]. Put into cold wa- about 50«'F, 

 ter in which snow was floating; I have seen them experience 

 painful sensations, manifested by their agitation, and die 

 within four and twenty hours. 



AVhen put together they appear to know one another, for Know one ajwv 

 the new comers soon grow familiar with the old ones, and 

 sometimes even utter a gentle cry, that seems to indicate Utter a cry of 

 their satisfaction*: on the contrary, when they are offended ^^'^t'^fact'^^S 



. and a hiss of 



by the curiosity of the spectators, or the appearance of the displeasure, 

 sun, they hiss with a liarsh tone, very different from the pre- 

 ceding, and at the same time emit bubbles of air from the 

 mouth and gills. The degree of their agitation raa}"^ be dis- Express of, 

 tinguished by the greater or less tumefaction of the branchy ^'^}'>^^ ^Y ^^^®*f 

 plumes that rise from tlie gills, as well as from their colour, 

 which in this state assumes a fine crimson. If these plumes 

 be then viewed with a microscope, they resemble branches 

 of coral ; but when the animal is tranquil they fall, become ^ 

 flaccid, and are of a livid white. 



^ With a lens of moderate power the systole and diastole Circulation of 

 [ ©f the pulse may be perceived in these plumes, the branches fa'^the'^^Js^®* 



c. 



♦ The proteus appears to possess the sense of feeling in an eminent 

 j^egres. 1 have- often been pleased to see it pass its little hands over 

 ipthers of its own species. 



Howpver this muy be, the rcoeniblance of its fore paws to the Immari 

 hand, the fine carnation tint of this pretty animal, the transparent epi- 

 dermis that may be compared with that which covers the person of a 

 handsome woman, the sort of amorous cry it utters when it has a com- 

 panion given it, have thrown me more than once into a revery., I know 

 not whether the proteus possess more than ordinary intelligence ; buf 

 every thing, even to its obstinacy iu refusing all kind of nourishment, 

 interest me in favour of t\mjish-man, ^s the Carniolians call it. AVe of 

 Mr. Siauve, 



of 



