Barnes on Batraciem Animals and doubtful Reptils. 283 
elude that their authors were greatly misinformed, or that 
there is yet another species of Siren, unknown to the modern 
naturalists, from which Linne wrote his description. 
e name Siren is applied to this animal on account of 
its ** vox cantillans,” in allusion to the Greek fable, as re- 
lated in the Odyssee of Homer, Book 12th. Several authors 
affirm that Sirens thrown on the ground break into several 
pieces. The want, or the high value of specimens among 
us, will probably prevent this fact from being proved or dis- 
proved by actual experiment. To me, however, it seems im- 
probable; as the animal is lithe and agil, and the bones are 
firm 
It may be useful to know in what state Linne ieft the his- 
tory of this animal, which has caused so much doubt and dis- 
putation since his time: therefore, as the become 
very scarce, I extract the description entire. On page 371 
of the 12th Edition, in a note at the bottom, he expresses 4 
doubt in these words. 
** Siren lacertina an Larva Lacerta? conf. diss. nostr. de 
? 
Sirene, 1766.’ 
At the end of the ist volume, under the head of addenda, 
he says, — : 
(395. ad finem pagine adde.) 
MEANTES. 
Branchize et pulmones simul, 
Pedes brachiati, unguiculati. __ 
Siren. Corpus bipedum, caudatum, nudum. 
Pedes brachiati, unguiculati. 
Lacertina. 1. SIREN, de qua pag. 371. lin, ult & 
Dissert. Siren. Upsal. 1776. c. fig. 
Habitat in Caroline paludosis, D. D. Garden inventor, 
Dubius hesi, utrum hee esset Larva Lacerte cujusdam, 
quam potissimum refert; an declaratum animal? hoe 
suadent Manus unguiculate & vox cantillans, at ulte- 
rius hoc urget inventor speciminibus sesquipedalibus 
missis, cum in tota Carolina nulla sit Lacerta, excepto 
- Crocodylo, ultra spithamum longa. 
This appears to be the amount of the knowle 
by Sigel and of this even, a part is doub ; for it — 
not appear, by the most careful observations of the Jno eg 
naturalists, that the animal has a “ vox cantillans. : Fhe 
. 
idea which produced the g me ts therek = 
dge possessed 
