

UNIVERS: 



THE AMPHIBIOUS 



In a group so extensive as these Amphibia, tfie~ 

 only correct method of coming to a knowledge of 

 their habits and mental powers and dispositions, is 

 by minutely considering the propensities of each 

 distinct species ; and for details we must therefore 

 refer to the subsequent part of the volume. In the 

 few remarks which follow, all that we can attempt 

 is a very short and hasty sketch. 



It is frequently stated in modern works, that it is 

 not established whether Seals frequent inland seas, 

 such as the Caspian, or fresh water lakes, such as 

 Lake Baikal ; which doubts are grounded chiefly 

 upon supposititious difficulties as to the mode of their 

 introduction into these detached and dreary waters 

 Peron especially, although we believe we must also 

 add Lesson, and after them Dr Prichard,* treat the 

 opinion as altogether apocryphal and absurd. We 

 cannot, however, but regard this as an error, the 

 result of false reasoning, and insufficient care. 

 Nothing can be more specific than Steller's state- 

 ment that they frequent the Caspian, and the fresh 

 water lakes, Baikal and Oron, which have no di- 

 rect communication with the sea ;f and nothing 

 more circumstantial, and apparently correct, than 

 Pallas' account, from personal observation, of these 

 animals, in both these seas. The insinuation, that 

 the creatures seen might be otters, is quite gratui- 

 tous, and cannot stand against the express testimony 



* Prichard's Researches nto the Phys. Hist, of Man, 34 Ed. 

 i. 63, 65. 



f De Bestiis Marinis, Nov. Com. Petro, t. ii. p. 290. 



