Observations on the Amphiuma Means. 269 



Further Observations on the Amphiuma Means. By Rich- 

 ard Harlan, M. D. Read December 6, 1824. 



In the third volume of the journal of the Academy of 

 Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, I published an accouut of 

 this animal. Since that period, I have examined three other 

 individuals, and have thus been enabled to correct some 

 misstatements in that paper. 



It was stated that in the Amphiuma " there are no ribs, 

 only motionless rudiments, resembling in this respect the 

 Proteus anguinus." There are in fact no ribs in this animal, 

 but in this it does not resemble the proteus, which is furnished 

 with moveable rudiments, as in the siren. This is an error 

 into which I was led by comparing it with the engravings of 

 the skeleton of the Proteus which accompanies Cuviers' Essay 

 on the doubtful reptiles, (in Humboldt's Voyage, part II. 

 livraison 3,) where the ribs are thus represented. It was also 

 omitted to be mentioned that the anterior and posterior 

 surfaces of the vertebrae are deeply concave, as in fishes. 

 Externally there is no appearance of tympanum. Found 

 in ponds and ditches about New-Orleans, in Florida, 

 Georgia, and South Carolina. They are capable of living 

 on dry land, but how long, has not been accurately ascer- 

 tained. The individual in the possession of Dr. Mease, 

 escaped from the vessel irr» which it was confined, and when 

 found several days after, was brisk and lively ; and I am 

 informed by Major Ware, that they are sometimes discovered 

 two or three feet under mud, of the consistence of mortar, in 

 which they burrow like worms, as was instanced in digging 

 near a street in Pensacola, when great numbers were thrown 

 up during the winter season. It is called in Florida, "Congo 

 Snake" by the negroes, who believe them poisonous, but 

 without foundation. 



