296 Barnes on Batracian Animals and doubtful Reptils. 
quoted. 
The European Naturalists are very cautious concerning 
these American animals. Perhaps they are not too muc 
so; and yet they are compelled, step by step, to yield the 
ground, first to the Siren, as a perfect animal, then to the 
Amphiuma. Next, without doubt, will be to the Menopo- 
ma, and the Proteus, all of which, and perhaps others, will 
be found to be mature and perfect animals. ‘The authority 
of Cuvier is perhaps equal to that of any man, and yet he is, 
ike other men, liable to mistake; as for instance, when he 
tells us, in his Regne animal, that the Siren Lacertina has 
five toes ; andalso in the cases above mentioned. ‘‘ No lar- 
va has teeth,” says Capt. Le Conte, and on making the dis- 
