PROTEUS. 279 



the crevices of the rocks into this place, where 

 they are found ; and it does not appear to me 

 impossible, when the peculiar nature of the coun- 

 try in which we are is considered, that the same 

 great cavity may furnish the individuals which 

 have been found at Adelsburg and at Sittich." 



Observations on the living animal, as well as 

 the study of its anatomy, render it certain 

 that it is in a perfected condition, and not, 

 as has been supposed, the larva or tadpole of 

 some large unknown Triton or Salamander in- 

 habiting those Tartarean recesses. It has been 

 found of various sizes, from the thickness of a 

 quill to that of a man's thumb, but the form 

 of the respiratory organs has always been the 

 same. Its whole comparative anatomy forbids 

 the conclusion that the form in which we see 

 it is that of a creature in a state of transition. 

 Professor Wagner, who had an opportunity of 

 dissecting a male and a female, immediately 

 after death, observes (in some notes commu- 

 nicated to the Zoological Society, November 

 1837) that he has no doubt that the pulmonary 

 sacs or vesicles really perform the function of 

 lungs. Each lung contains a large^ artery and 

 a still larger vein, which are connected together 

 by means of large and numerous vessels. He 

 found the ova in the female very beautifully 

 developed ; their structure, as vrell as that of 

 the ovary, corresponding perfectly with that 

 of the other naked AmpMhia, especially the 

 Triton. It is an animal in fact well calculated 

 to exalt our views of the greatness of God, 

 who is able to produce and perpetuate animal 

 life, and doubtless enjoyment, in situations. 



