290 Barnes on Batracian Animals and doubtful Reptils. 
other points of resemblance, the peculiar form and structure 
f the branchize is abundantly sufficient to show a strong 
‘“‘ affinity.” ‘There are, perhaps, but four animals, in the 
world, that have the like ; and in these the branchize are so 
remarkably similar that the language used to describe one, 
must almost necessarily be used to describe the other. If 
the mee mentioned similarities will not comprise these ani- 
mals within the same genus, it will be difficult to show any 
thing art im any case can be called generic, or in 1 other 
words to define a 
The difference Bethan the Austrian and the Americar 
animals shall also be fairly stated, for truth is our object 
The P. Anguinus is a long and slender animal, of a pale 
and delicate color. 
The P. Lateralis is shorter, more robust, and of a dark, . 
hardy color. 
The toes of the former are three and ig 
The toes of the latter are four and fo 
‘The pects of the former is siathed = the 26th or 28th 
the back bone. 
The pelvis of the latter is attached to the 19th joint. 
Now give to these differences their full weight in our con- 
animal is doubtless more robust than- the European. He 
needs a stronger body, inasmuch as the waters of the Alleg- 
hany River and the grea t Lakes are more turbid and tu- 
multuous than unrufll od waters of the subterranean ca- 
toes ought to form only a specific character. All that re- 
mai is the difference in the dorsal vertebers and the 
false ribs, on which the advocates for the new genus can de- 
is; alates the fine they differ so greatly in the P. angui- 
nus itself, that no fair argument can be thence derived; and 
the hind legs being attached nearer or farther from the fore 
ones, may, without impropriety, be considered as merely @ 
specific distinction. I would s 
ness, of the gentlemen who ne from m 
endship, nor can I conceive that 
should be a cause of of 
Saaseca ini name, Hypocthon, from fro ondes and Xéy the — 4 
