96 



MENOPOMA ALLEGHANIENSIS. 



thin, broad, flat, rounded in front, attached behind and below, free and movable 

 only at its anterior and lateral margins. The superior maxillary teeth are 

 arranged in two concentric series, of which the internal are most prominent, but 

 are less numerous as they terminate before and on the outer side of the posterior 

 nares. 



The nostrils are anterior and very small. The eyes are very minute and black. 



The neck is contracted, with a single spiracle or bronchial opening on each 

 side, but there is no cutaneous fold at the throat. The body is stout, thick, sub- 

 cylindrical, and the vent appears a circular orifice, with a plaited margin, unlike 

 the longitudinal fissure of the Salamanders. The tail is large, much compressed 

 laterally, broader below, with a rayless fin along its whole superior border, and is 

 ancipital only for an inch or two from its tip. 



The anterior extremities are short, thick, and fimbriated throughout their whole 

 external border; there are four fingers, short, flattened, without nails, and palmated 

 at their roots. The posterior extremities are also short, thick, and still more 

 broadly fimbriated on their posterior border; there are five toes, palmated, the 

 two internal have the web least extensive. 



Colour. This animal I have never seen alive, but Dr. De Kay represents it as 

 pale slate-colour, mottled with dusky; and from his plate was the accompanying 

 figure coloured. 



Dimensions. Length of head, 1| inches; length of body, 9 inches; length of 

 tail 4j inches: total length, 15 inches. 



Habits. The Menopoma Alleghaniensis lives entirely in water. It is car- 

 nivorous and very voracious, feeding on fish, worms, and shell-fish. 



Geographical Distribution. The Menopoma Alleghaniensis is found in the 



