in a living State. 327 



It will be observed that the description of Dr.Garden agrees 

 with mine, with the exception of a few minor differences as 

 respects the tongue, the pulmonary system, &c. Dr. Garden 

 did not seem to be aware that the Amphiuma respired with 

 two cellular lungs ; by his own account, the specimen he de- 

 scribed had been preserved in spirits, which circumstance will 

 sometimes give rise to inaccuracies. 



From the above description, the Amphiuma must be ac- 

 knowledged as generically distinct from the Batrachian animals 

 hitherto described; the similarity of internal organization 

 would place it between the Proteus and Siren. 



This very curious animal lived for several weeks in the pos- 

 session of Dr. Mease, by whose request a drawing of the 

 living animal was taken by Mr. C. A. Lesueur. To the former 



more singular animal than the Siren, as you might observe by my remarks," 

 &c. &c— Vol. i. p. 599. 



In a letter to Linnaeus, with which he sends a specimen, Dr. Garden 

 gives the following descriptions of the Amphiuma: 



" I must now say something cf an unknown animal, which you will find 

 in a glass bottle, and which 1 have no doubt will afford you much satisfac- 

 tion ; the specimen here sent is the only one I ever saw, and I shall think 

 myself fortunate if it reaches you in safety. 



" When I first received it, the length was 3/ inches, though the animal 

 was then become somewhat contracted. At first sight I suspected it to be 

 another species of Siren; but upon nearer examination I found so many 

 differences, that there proves to be no relationship whatever between them. 

 Can this animal form a link between the Lacertce and Serpentes? is it al- 

 lied to Anguis quadrupes? 



" It differs in many particulars from the Siren, most evidently in the fol- 

 lowing. This animal has four feet, with two toes to each, without claws. The 

 Siren has only two feet. It wants the gills and their wing-like coverings. 

 It has no scales, nor, which seems to me very singular, any tongue ! all 

 which are found in the Siren. 1 have opened the throat, and satisfied my- 

 self respecting the presence or absence of the gills. The following are the 

 characters I have drawn up of this ugly animal. 



" Head, rather long, depressed, tapering, serpent-like. 



" Mouth, extending half the length of the head. 



" Lower jaw, furnished with a single row of sharp distinct teeth. 



" / 'ppcr, with four rows with similar curved teeth. 



" Upper lip, covering the under one. 



" Tongue, none. Nostrils, two openings at the very extremity of the 

 upper lip. 



" Eyes, dull, at the upper part of the head, on each side, covered with 

 a thick tunic. 



" A thin retractile membrane covers each cartilaginous lateral spiracle or 

 orifice, by which the animal breathes. 



" Body, thick, nearly cylindrical, tapering and keeled at each side, be- 

 yond the vent Tail recurved. There is no lateral line. Vent, a large 

 opening immediately behind the hinder legs. 



" Feet, four, two of them before, close to the spiracles, each with two toes 

 destitute of claws, two behind, at the bottom of the belly, with similar toes. 



" Inhabits deep ditches and lakes of fresh water." — Vol. i. p. 333. 



gentleman, 



