No. I.] SKELETAL ANATOMY OF AMPHIUMA. 13 



Zoologisch-zootomischen Institut in Wnrzburgr Bd. VII, 1885. 

 According to these observers, the female of Epicriimi excavates 

 a cavity in the earth a httle below the surface, and there de- 

 posits a mass of eggs, which are connected by means of an 

 albuminous cord, and thus resemble a string of pearls. These 

 eo-gs, when found in the oviduct, are of an oval form, about 

 9^rim. through the longer axis and 6 mm. through the shorter ; 

 but, when found in the earth, they were about twice as large, 

 having probably during their development absorbed considerable 

 water* Unlike Amphimna, the eggs seem to have something 

 of a regular arrangement in the mass, the connecting strings 

 being bent in toward the centre of the mass and cohering there 

 intol viscous knot. Around this mass of eggs the female lies 

 coiled, and gives them protection. The embryos at the stage 

 described were 4 cm. long, and moved actively about. On 

 each side of the neck were three plume-like gills, the longest of 

 which was about 2 cm. The eyes were relatively large and 

 distinct ; while the tail was surrounded by a strongly developed 

 fin-membrane. These eel-like young must greatly resemble 

 those of Aviphiuma. Other larvae of Epicriiim were found 

 by the Messrs. Sarasin swimming in the neighboring brooks. 

 These are without gills, possessed yet gill-clefts and a caudal 

 fin, and are said to attain a length of perhaps 16 cm. At 

 length their transformation is completed, and they leave the 

 wat'er. These facts bearing on the mode of embryonic develop- 

 ment and others derived from anatomical structure have made 

 it evident to the writers named above, as well as to others, that 

 the Ccecilians must be arranged very closely to the Urodela, if 

 not consigned to the same order. The habits of oviposition 

 and incubation and the course of development which have 

 now come to light as characterizing Amphmma, must tend to 

 strengthen this opinion.* 



It is not yet known how the young amphiumes get to^ the 

 water after they have been excluded from the eggs. Consider- 

 ing the nature of the ground where the eggs were found, it 

 would appear impossible for them to travel any considerable 

 distance. It might well be, however, that, like many other 



* Dr. C. O. ^Vhitman kindly sends me the interesting information that the Giant 

 Salamander of Japan ( Megalobatrachus jnaximus) lays its eggs in a string exactly 

 like that of Amphiuma, and the eggs are of about the same size. 



