AMPHIUMA. 



285 



The Two-toed Amphiuma {Amphiuma means, 

 Gard.), of which the above observations are re- 

 corded, is the smaller of the two known Species, 

 being only about eighteen inches in length, while 

 its fellow {A. tridactylum) attains twice these di- 

 mensions. The former is called Congo-snake by 

 the negroes of Florida, by whom it is reputed 

 highly venomous, but without any foundation. 

 It was first noticed by Dr. Garden of South 

 Carolina, who described it in a letter to Linnseus 

 in 1771. It is properly an inhabitant of the 

 fetid ponds and ditches of those marshy regions, 

 where it probably feeds on worms and water- 

 insects, but it is capable of living on the land, 

 though for what period has not been ascertained. 

 It is sometimes found lurking under the decaying 

 trunk of a fallen tree, in humid woods ; and Dr. 

 Harlan speaks of one in the possession of Dr. 

 Mease, which having escaped from the vessel of 

 water in which it was kept, was found brisk and 

 lively several days afterwards. 







