195 Miscellaneous Facts and Observations. 



5. A very large species of Salamander has been dis- 

 covered in the lakes Ontario, Erie, &c, and also in the 

 waters of the Ohio and Susquehanna. It seems, how- 

 ever, to be especially confined to the lakes, and to the 

 waters of the Missisippi, including those which empty 

 themselves into the Ohio. Its common length is from 

 twelve to sixteen or eighteen inches. Sometimes, how- 

 ever, it is met with of a much larger size. Its head and 

 body are very flat : its mouth large, and furnished with 

 teeth. The feet are four in number, and very different, 

 in their structure, from the feet of any other species of 

 the genus. The tail is compressed, and well calculated 

 to assist the animal in swimming. Its body is covered 

 with a milk-like fluid, which it emits at pleasure, and 

 which seems to be of a resinous nature, as in Salaman- 

 dra subviolacea, &c. 



This animal, which is known to the inhabitants of 

 the western parts of the United- States, by the names of 

 Alligator, Hell-Bender, &c, is purely aquatic, and is 

 often found at the depth of ten or more feet under water. 

 It is, however, capable of living out of the water for a con- 

 siderable time: I am informed, for at least twenty-four 

 hours. It is frequently caught by the hook that has 

 been baited (with meat, See.) for cat-fish (Silurus), 

 and other kinds of fish. It lives upon small fish, 

 worms, insects, offal of various kinds, &c. It is re- 

 puted poisonous : but, it is believed, there is no good 

 foundation for this opinion. It is often killed by the 

 fishermen, by the instrument which they call a gigg. 

 It is not eaten, though its flesh is white, like that of an 



