120 MENOBRANCHUS LATERALIS. 



are lateral and very near the margin of the upper lip. The eyes are small and 

 far asunder, with the pupil as well as the iris of dark gray. The mouth is large, 

 reaching to the eyes; the lips are thick and fleshy; the tongue is broad, entire, 

 and full at the tip; there are two rows of small conical pointed teeth in the upper 

 jaw, and one only in the lower. The neck is contracted, and has a cutaneous 

 fold at the throat. There are three rows of external gills on each side, placed on 

 the posterior margins of corresponding fleshy prolongations, and supported by 

 three branchial arches, between which are two apertures or openings apparently 

 for the transmission of water: "these gills are exceedingly minute, and resemble 

 fringe of the finest texture." 



The body is elongated, cylindrical, and covered with a smooth, soft skin, 

 permeated by many pores. The anus, or vent, is a longitudinal fissure. The 

 tail is long, broad, ancipital, and rounded at its extremity like that of an eel. 



The anterior extremities are placed behind and near the gills; they are short, 

 thick, and terminate in four fingers, destitute of nails. The posterior extremities 

 are nearly of the same size as the anterior, and terminate in four unarmed toes. 



Colour. The head above, as well as the whole superior surface of the animal, 

 is dusky-brown; from the nostrils extends a black vitta through the eye along the 

 flanks, but here less distinct, and finally becomes obsolete on the tail. The inferior 

 surface of the Menobranchus lateralis at the throat and abdomen is dirty flesh 

 colour, darker at the tail. 



Dimensions. Length of head, I5 inches; breadth, li inches; length of body to 

 vent, 7 inches; of tail, beyond the vent, 31- inches; total length, 12 inches. They 

 sometimes reach the size of more than two feet. 



Habits. The Menobranchus lateralis lives in general at the very bottom of 

 the waters it inhabits; there it swims or creeps along the ground with a slow and 

 serpentine motion; rarely, however, it leaves the water and creeps to the shore. 



