FISH-LIKE SALAMANDERS, OLMS, &C. 39D 
developed upper and lower labial lobes; a short tail, compressed, 
and keeled above; and a smooth, slimy skin. The colour above 
is bluish-black ; underneath it is of a lighter shade. 
Amphiuma means is exactly like the Batrachian which has just 
been described, except that it possesses two digits at the extremity 
of each limb instead of three. It is found from North Carolina 
to the Mississippi. 
The Proteus (Proteus anguinus) is a representative of the 
family Proteidw, or permanently-gilled Salamanders, which in- 
cludes the two genera Necturus and Proteus. The members of the 
latter genus have their eyes concealed under the skin. 
For the last two hundred years the Proteus, or Olm, as it 
is sometimes called, has excited the greatest interest among 
naturalists, both from its singular structure and from the strange 
situations in which it is found. It is an inhabitant of the dark 
subterranean lakes of the Alps of Carniola, in Austria. 
Though the eyes of this creatureare very small and hidden 
under the skin, they are of a certain amount of use to the owner. 
This can be shown by the animal’s anxiety, while in captivity, 
to withdraw itself into the darkest part of its tank. 
The Proteus has been called a double-breathing animal, because 
it is possessed of both lungs and gills. It has been proved, by 
depriving the Batrachian of its branchiz, that its lungs are not 
merely rudimentary, for thus mutilated it has continued to live 
for a very considerable time. Iam not aware that a Proteus has 
ever been able to grow new branchiz in the place of those which 
have been taken from it. 
The Olm will live for many years in confinement, even, it is 
said, without food. When the water of its tank is regularly 
changed, the Batrachian remains at the bottom of the water, 
breathing only by means of its gills. But when the water in 
which it lives is not renewed from time to time, and consequently 
(if comparatively of small expanse) is gradually deprived of 
much of the oxygen it contained, the Proteus is obliged to come 
to its surface periodically, for the purpose of breathing by the 
help of its lungs. 
The Proteus, when in captivity, should always be provided 
with a dark place of retirement, or the whole tank ought to be 
