On the Snake-like Proteus. 629 



live long out of the water : indeed, the one in the museum at 

 Graetz was never kept more than Vee minutes at a time out 

 of that element. Hence, this f:ct will go far to prove the 

 statement of some physiologists ; that its lungs are only im- 

 perfectly formed. But I am inclined to suppose that its 

 lungs are sufficiently developed for the purpose of allowing 

 the animal to respire, when out of the water, in its natural 

 habitation, and adapted to the state of the atmospheric air 

 at a great depth below the earth, and may nevertheless 

 be insufficient for the respiration of the air at the earth's sur- 

 face ; at least, I think it highly probable that it can breathe 

 by its lungs alone, for a longer time, when out of the water in 

 its subterraneous cavern, than it can do, when brought out 

 of that element upon or above the earth. In this respect, 

 the Proteus differs greatly from another animal of the same 

 order; namely, the lizard-like siren (Siren lacertina), which 

 can live for many hours, with as much ease, out of the water, 

 as in it. But the latter is not a subterranean, but a ter- 

 restrial, animal, and inhabits the marshes of South Carolina, 

 in America ; and, consequently, the lungs of the siren are 

 doubtless more fully suited to the respiration of the air upon 

 the surface of the earth. The Proteus, also, unlike the siren, 

 which makes a croaking noise like a frog, has only been 

 known to make a sort of hissing sound, somewhat similar to 

 that of a snake. 



For many years, the Proteus was a subject of contro- 

 versy among naturalists, whether or not it was only the fry 

 or larva of some other creature ; but this has now been finally 

 settled ; and the retention of all its legs and branchiae during 

 life makes the affirmative side of that supposition perfectly 

 inconsistent with its being merely in a state of metamor- 

 phosis. 



It has even been thought by some to be deprived of the 

 power of vision ; but this has also been ascertained to be in- 

 correct, since the minute eyes are themselves discernible; and 

 the fact of the animal being always so much agitated when 

 exposed to the daylight, clearly demonstrates that it does 

 possess that sense, in a degree adapted to its living in total 

 darkness. 



Its ears being covered, like the eyes, with a skin, would, 

 perhaps, induce us to conclude that its faculty of hearing is 

 either dull, or, what is more probable, that it is merely pro- 

 tected by that film, or skin. Its nasal organs being large, 

 probably assist it in discovering its prey, by means of an 

 acute scent. In swimming, it uses its legs and toes, which, 

 although not webbed, afford it great service in the water; 



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