TAILED BATRACHIANS 267 



Amphiuma, an eel-shaped relative of the Giant Sala- 

 manders, inhabits the swamps and muddy rivers of the 

 South-Eastern United States, growing to a length of three 

 feet. The very rudimentary limbs are provided with only 

 two or three fingers and toes. The head is small, with an 

 elongate snout ; the eyes are very small. The tail is short, 

 compressed, and keeled above. The uniform, blackish- 

 brown skin is smooth and slimy, and it is quite an impossi- 

 bility to hold the wriggling creature in one's hand for more 

 than a few seconds. 



The Amphiuma, which is regarded by many of the 

 country people as a highly poisonous snake, leaves the 

 water late in the summer, when the eggs, deposited in 

 clumps formed of two intertwined strings, are laid on land, 

 and are protected by the female, who coils herself round 

 them. The eggs hatch after a period of about three 

 months, when the three-inch-long young are provided 

 with external gills, which disappear in about six weeks' time. 



The Amphiuma is very hardy, and will live almost 

 indefinitely in a small aquarium on a carnivorous diet. 



The animals of the thoroughly aquatic family Proteid^e 

 retain their gills throughout life. Eyelids are absent. 



The family is represented by two genera, namely, 

 Necturus, of North America, and Proteus, of Austria, 

 which may be distinguished as follows — 



Necturus, eyes exposed ; digits 4-4. 

 Proteus, eyes hidden ; digits 3-2. 



Necturus maculatus, of the Eastern United States, has 

 the eyes functional, although minute. The limbs arc 



