368 



PERENNIBRANCHIATA. 



tlie Axolotiis, tlie Menobraiichus, the Proteus, and the 

 Siren. 



The Axolotle (Axolotus) in every respect resembles the tadpoles 

 of Salamanders that have acquired both their fore and hind legs. 

 The gills project from orifices on each side of the neck, and take the 

 form of branched tufts, as may be seen in the accompanying figure, 

 representing the Axolotus inscifonnis, an animal inhabiting the lakes 





Fig. 298.— axolotle. 



of Mexico. It is about ten inches in length. It is said to be com- 

 monly sold in the market of Mexico, and to be esteemed as a luxury 

 by the inhabitants, ckessed in the manner of stewed eels, and served 

 up with rich sauce. Humboldt declares that he found it savoury and 

 wholesome. Lake Champlain, in Canada, produces a species much 

 resembling this, but three or four times as large. 



The Snake-like Proteus {P)-otens anguimis). The native place and 

 abode of the Proteus is the water in some subterranean caverns in the 

 limestone of the south of Europe, as, for example in that of Adels- 

 burg in Carniola. This cavern was visited by the late Sir Humphry 

 Davy, who has left us a very interesting account of it and its strange 

 inhabitant. " At first view, you might suppose this animal to be a 

 lizard, but it has the motions of a fish. Its head and the lower part 

 of its body all bear a strong resemblance to an Eel ; but it has no 

 fins, and its curious branchial organs are not like the gills of fishes. 

 Tiiey form a singular vascular structure almost like a crest round the 

 throat, and they may be removed without causing the death of the 

 animal, which has also lungs. With this double apparatus it can 



