URODELA I AMPHIUMID/E. 



315 



true to the character of their family, and have gills when 

 first hatched, although they soon disappear. 



The Genus Dicmictylus Fig. 169. 



contains the American 

 Water -Newt, D. viridcs- 

 cens, Rafin., of the Atlan- 

 tic States, Which is about Triton . r Water-Newt, D. viridescens, Rafin. 



three and three quarters inches long ; color above olive 

 brown tinged with green, and on each side of the verte- 

 bral line there is a row of bright vermilion circular spots ; 

 below, orange, with numerous small black spots. This 

 species is almost entirely aquatic, and is thus a Triton. 

 Several other species of Triton are found in the United 

 States, from four and a half to twelve inches long. 



AMPHIUMID^, OR AMPHIUMA FAMILY. This Family 

 comprises batrachians which are said to be destitute of 

 gills at all periods of their existence, and which breathe 

 by means of exposed spiracles or branchial orifices at the 

 sides of the neck. According to Holbrook, they undergo 

 no metamorphosis after they are hatched, but at once ap- 

 pear in the forms which they are permanently to retain. 



The Genus Amphinma has an eel-shaped body, four 

 imperfectly developed legs, and a single spiracle on each 

 side of the neck. 



The Congo Snake, A. means, Lin- 

 nseus, of the Southern States, is 

 about twenty-eight inches long, blu- 

 ish black. It lives in muddy waters, 

 or in mud, sometimes penetrating 

 the latter to the depth of three feet. 



The Genus Menopoma has a large, 

 flat head, short, stout body, large 

 tail, a single spiracle on each side ; 

 legs short and thick ; fingers four, 

 toes five, and all palmated. C on g o Snake, A. m eans> Linn. 



Fig. 170. 



