APODA. 



317 



rails, Say, of the tributaries of the Mississippi, on the 

 eastern side, much resembles the preceding. 



The Genus Siredon contains the celebrated Axolotl of 

 Mexico, and spe- 

 cies very closely IpL^ Fi s 

 related from other >5^ ^ 

 parts of Western 

 North America. 

 Siredons are from 

 six to ten inches 

 long, and every 

 way similar in form to young aquatic salamanders. They 

 live mainly in the water. The Axolotl is eaten by the 

 Mexicans. Proteus, represented by a species a foot long in 

 the waters of Adelsberg Cave, Carniola, is a related genus. 



Siredon, Western North America. 



SUB-SECTION III. 



THE ORDER OF APODA, OR CECILIANS. 



THE Order of Apoda comprises snake-shaped batra- 

 chians. They are destitute of limbs, and move like ser- 

 pents. They are found in the marshes of tropical regions, 

 and are named Caecilians on account of their exceedingly 

 minute eyes ; and these members are also apparently 

 wanting in some cases. Length, one to three feet. 



Some authors recognize and place here a group called 

 Lepidota. Its representatives inhabit the fresh waters of 

 the hot parts of South America and Africa, and are known 

 under the name of Lepidosiren, They are one to three 

 feet long, fish-like in form, scaly, and with simple styliform 

 legs. During the dry season they are said to bury them- 

 selves in the mud. 



