FAMILY AMPHIUMID^:. 89 



THE ALLEGANY HELL-BENDER. 



Menopoma alleghaniensis. 

 plate xviii. fig. 44.— (cabinet of the lyceum.) 



Salamandra alleghaniensis, Sonnini. Latreille, Hist. Nat. Rept. Vol. 2, p. 253, fig. 1. 



Le Salamandre des Mints Alleganies. Daud. Hist. Nat. Rept. Vol. 8, p. 231. 



Abranchus alleghaniensis . Harlan, Ann. Lye. Vol. 1, p. 233, pi. 17 and 18. 



Menopoma. Id. lb. p. 270. 



Menopoma aUegkaniensis. Barnes, Am. Joum. Science and Arts, Vol. 11, p. 278. 



M. id. Harlan, Med. and Phys. Res. p. 87 and 174. Griffith's Cuvier, Vol. 9, p. 410, 475, plate. 



Molge. Merrem. 



Cryptobranchus. LEUKARD & FlTZINGER. 



Young Alligator. Kirtland, Zool. Ohio, p. 190. 



Characteristics. Slate-colored, mottled with dusky. Head broad. Tail nearly as long as 

 the body. A dark line through the eye. Two outer toes of the hind feet 

 palmate. Length one to two feet. 



Description. Body robust, cylindrical, smooth. Tail vertically compressed, and nearly as 

 long as the body. Vent a small longitudinal slit. Head wide, depressed, especially towards 

 the snout, which is obtusely rounded. Nostrils prominent. Eyes small. Legs robust, short; 

 the fore legs with four free subequal toes. Hind feet with five toes, the two outer palmate ; 

 the outer edge of the outer toe with a broad membrane to assist in swimming. Tail much 

 compressed, obtusely pointed, membranous on its upper edge, which extends some distance 

 along the back. The cervical aperture covered with a simple fold. Lungs vesicular, elastic, 

 vascular as in the tortoise. Vertebrae nineteen. Tongue free in front. 



Color. Dark slate or greyish with darker spots. A dusky abbreviated line passes through 

 the eyes. 



Length 12-0- 24" 0. 



I have never met with this animal myself in this State ; but Prof. Hall assures me that he 

 has seen it in the Allegany river, one of the tributaries of the Ohio, within the limits of this 

 State. It feeds on worms, crayfish, fishes and aquatic reptiles. It is said to be extremely 

 voracious. Dr. Kirtland states, that in the State of Ohio, it occurs in all the tributaries of the 

 Ohio, but not in those of Lake Erie. 



Fauna — Part 3. 12 



