PKOTBID^E. LXXXVH. 197 



FAMILY LXXXVL AMPHIUMID^E. 



(The Congo Snakes.) 



Salamanders of large size, having the body elongated 

 almost serpentiform ; limbs rudimentary with two or 

 three toes each ; a spiracle on each side of neck as in the 

 preceding family; aquatic. Genera two; the three-toed 

 Murcenopsis (M. tridactylus) and the two-toed Amphi- 

 uma. Species two, inhabiting the ditches and streams 

 of the warmer parts of the U. S. 



/. A M PHI U HI A, Linnaeus. Two-ToED CONGO SNAKES. 



1. A. means, L. CONGO SNAKE. Dusky; limbs very 

 small, each with two toes. Southern States, N. to N. C. 



OEDEE Y.-PEOTEIDA. 



(The Proteans.) 



Tailed Batrachians, provided with bushy external gills 

 which are persistent during life; lungs more or less 

 developed and functional, hence these animals are truly 

 amphibious. 



FAMILY LXXXVIL PROTEID^E. 



(The Mud Puppies.) 



Salamanders of medium or large size, provided with 

 bushy external gills, and having the branchial clefts 

 remaining open through life; teeth well developed. 

 Genera two. Proteus inhabitating caves in S. W. 

 Austria (Carniola), and Necturus of the fresh waters of 

 the U. S. Proteus is blind and has the toes 3-2. 

 Necturus has the eyes well developed, though small, and 

 the toes 4-4. 



