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nial gilled species. Mr. Tegetmejer kept several of these animals, 

 which multiplied rapidly in tlie gilled state, and it was therefore 

 thought that the perennial character of the gills was settled. 

 Imagine, therefore, his surprise, and that of all naturalists, when 

 one of these Axolotls, went tlu-ough a metamorphosis, lost its 

 gills, and during the rest of its existence breathed air. Here, 

 therefore, we find a creatiu-e which, in the adiilt state, is sometimes 

 a Tadpole, or Fish-like animal, and at other times a Newi,, or 

 Lizard-like animal. This interesting discovery was made by 

 keeping these creatiu'es in an aquarium, for up to the time "of Mr. 

 Tegetmeyers observation, the Tadpole form had been described 

 by natm-alists as Siredon, and the adult Newt-like form as Am- 

 blystoma. 



I cannot but think that the extraordinary fact now substan- 

 tiated throws a flood of light on the theory of evolution, the 

 creature under consideration appearing in one species, or even in 

 one specimen, to bridge over the gulf separating lung-breathers 

 from gill-breathers. 



Tlais aquarium does not at present possess any other amphibian, 

 but the order contains a great many species of interest, such as 

 the eyeless Proteus, from the dark caverns of Camiola, which 

 breathes both by lungs and gills, and the gigantic Salamander, 

 from Japan, often three feet in length. This latter would be one 

 of the most interesting additions to the aquarium, and would 

 probably attract more attention than any acquisition that has 

 hitherto been made. 



It has been exhibited at the Zoological Gardens, but in a pond, 

 where its form can with difficulty be seen ; and being observed 

 from above only, its extraordinary appearance is but dimly visible. 

 If I might use the expression for any natural object, I should say 

 it is the most hideous creature in existence. 



The advantage of exhibiting an animal in an aquarium as 

 compared with a pond is well illustrated by the fact that, at the 

 Zoological Gardens, Turtles and Water Tortoises have been shewn 

 for many years, and have attracted but little attention ; but no 

 sooner are Turtles seen in the aquarium at Brighton, than every 

 one talks of their beautiful movements. 



I shall now pass on to tlie true Fishes, of which several species 

 exist in this aquarium. 



All Fishes breathe air through the medium of water and in- 

 variably through their mouths, thus differing essentially from the 



